In Russian regions with harsh climates, regular removal of snow from roofs is a necessary and important process. Snow build-up sometimes occurs so quickly that it can cause serious damage. building roofs and a serious threat to people passing by. How to protect yourself during such work and make the task easier - in this review from HouseChief.
Read in the article
- 1 Why is it necessary to clean roofs from snow and ice
- 2 Formation of a snow cap, icicles and ice
- 3 Safety precautions when cleaning snow from the roof
- 4 Basic tools and devices for cleaning roofs from snow
- 4.1 Snow shovel and scraper
- 4.2 High-rise equipment
- 5 Methods for cleaning roofs from snow and ice
- 5.1 Mechanical method for removing snow and ice from roofs
- 5.1.1 From the ground or stairs
- 5.1.2 Standing on the roof surface
- 5.1.3 From the cradle of the lifting device
- 5.2 Modern technologies for cleaning the roof from ice and snow
- 5.3 Chemical ingredients for clearing snow and icicles from the roof
- 5.1 Mechanical method for removing snow and ice from roofs
- 6 Common mistakes when clearing snow from the roof
- 7 How to reduce the rate of snow accumulation
- 8 The cost of professional roof cleaning from snow - price overview
Why is it necessary to clean roofs from snow and ice
Snowy winters are good for active outdoor games, skiing and sledding. However, the accumulation of snow masses on the roofs of houses can create a lot of serious problems.
Failure to timely remove snow from the roof often leads to the following results:
- breakage of the roof frame;
- damage to the roof covering;
- violation of the drainage system;
- the sudden descent of an avalanche.
Snow that has not been removed in time turns into ice very quickly, which is much more difficult to remove. In addition, the ice mass is heavier, which accelerates roof wear.
Formation of a snow cap, icicles and ice
Snow drifts, ice on roofs, ice and icicles on eaves and gutters do not form in one day. An important point in the formation of a snow cap is the geometry of the roof and the angles of its slopes.
The formation of ice and icicles in winter occurs under the influence of temperature fluctuations. In addition, most of the well-maintained buildings are equipped with heated attics, which provokes melting of the lower layers of snow and the formation of ice.
Safety precautions when cleaning snow from the roof
Snow removal on roofs requires certain skills. High-rise works pose a serious danger to the life and health of both the performers and those nearby.
For individuals, there are certain requirements with a set of recommendations on how to remove snow from the roof.
Safety precautions include the following rules:
- only persons over 18 years of age with practical skills are admitted to these works;
- before work, all inventory is checked for serviceability;
- cleaning is carried out only during the day in clear weather;
- working tools should be made of plastic or wood to prevent damage to the coating;
- cleaning is carried out from the bottom up - from the eaves to the ridge.
It is not allowed to carry out cleaning with wind gusts exceeding 15 m / s and temperatures below -15º.
It is also forbidden to throw off snow masses when you are below:
- wires and other communications;
- operated buildings;
- outdoor special equipment - air conditioners, antennas, etc .;
- high and spreading green plantings.
You need to know that any obstacle on the way of a large piece of stale snow will easily change its trajectory and can cause serious consequences.
Basic tools and devices for cleaning roofs from snow
Cleaning work on the roofs of multi-storey buildings should be carried out by the management company, but often they fall entirely on the shoulders of the residents.
And if such a need has arisen, you will need the following tools to clean the snow:
- shovel;
- sliding - two-handed shovel;
- scrapers;
- rubber mallet;
- portable grates and ladders with hooks for fixing on the ridge.
An indispensable element when cleaning the roof of a high-rise building is a guard tape.
Snow shovel and scraper
Snow shovel - the main tool when cleaning any roof. Today it is a lightweight plastic device equipped with a wooden or telescopic handle.
For the safety of the worker and people passing below, it is attached to the mounting belt. This simple operation allows you to free your hands if necessary. For work on a large area, an extension is used - a device with two handles for pushing the snow mass from a flat roof.
The roof scraper is made of wood or plastic. You can buy it in the store or make it yourself.
Making a snow scraper with your own hands is not at all difficult. A piece of board 45-50 cm long and 15-20 cm wide is nailed to a long handle and fixed with spacers.
High-rise equipment
For residents of the private sector, ladders and stepladders with hooks for fastening on a ridge are enough to clear snow from roofs. A special permit is required to work on the roof of a multi-storey building.
They should think ahead and organize the cleaning of the roof and the subsequent removal of the snow.
Methods for cleaning roofs from snow and ice
Snow removal work on roofs is not particularly difficult and is based on a common method - moving snow and ice from top to bottom. There are some differences in the location of the workers.
Mechanical method for removing snow and ice from roofs
This method consists of simply moving around and dropping loose snow and melted ice.
From the ground or stairs
This option is used for low buildings in the private sector.
They use the following tools in their work:
- wide, wooden scraper with a long (3-4 m) handle;
- rubber mallet;
- long (5-6 m) plastic or wooden sticks.
When using a ladder, it should be securely reinforced at an angle of no more than 60º.
At the beginning of work, icicles are knocked down with a stick or mallet, then the roof is cleaned.
Standing on the roof surface
Mechanical cleaning of the territory of the roofs of high-rise buildings should be carried out strictly under the supervision of a specialist.
The tools are selected individually for each type of roofing.
From the cradle of the lifting device
This type of cleaning is carried out by a service company or a contractor with special equipment and permission to work at heights.
Such work is similar to any other work at height - washing windows, painting, putty of facades.
Modern technologies for cleaning the roof from ice and snow
With a high slope of roofs, the anti-ice system is often used today to prevent the build-up of ice and the formation of icicles.
The anti-ice structure is equipped with:
- electric wires of the "cold" type;
- control sensors;
- distribution boxes.
It works automatically according to the readings of the sensors.
Chemical ingredients for clearing snow and icicles from the roof
Applying chemicals is a passive way to clear snow from a roof. Using the simplest composition of salt and sand, you can avoid the formation of ice build-up. The tool is affordable and fairly easy to use.
It is more effective to use reagents that can melt the ice and snow mass in especially frosty winters.
The cost of removing snow from the roof using reagents is much higher than when using a salt mixture. However, such formulations are used for almost all types of roofing materials. The use of chemicals in the private sector is not recommended. They are dangerous for animals walking on rooftops.
Common mistakes when clearing snow from the roof
Mistakes are a consequence of unprofessionalism. Most often, a person without experience makes mistakes:
- when cutting down icicles on the cornice in frost, when blows to the side of the walls can cause serious damage to the roofing material and the cladding of the building;
- when ice breaks off on the roof surface, when blows with a metal object damage the roofing material. Slate sheets are cracking metal tile loses its protective layer, soft materials exfoliate;
- when cleaning a snow-ice roof without ladders. Moving on the surface in shoes with hard spikes (for greater stability) easily damage the roofing material. In the latter case, climbers are an exception. Their shoes are spike-free, and their stability is ensured by the taut cables and immense experience.
How to reduce the rate of snow accumulation
To reduce the rate of snow accumulation and the frequency of cleaning, you should:
- increase the slope of the roof;
- use a roof covering made of a smooth material that facilitates the sliding of snow;
- establish a compulsory anti-ice system;
- mount "snow cutters" on the eaves.
To prevent rapid icing, it is necessary to make good insulation of the roof and ceiling slabs. The infiltration of warm air masses accelerates the formation of ice.
The cost of professional roof cleaning from snow - price overview
Professional cleaning of roofs is carried out by cleaning companies using the services of high-altitude specialists. The price for cleaning roofs from snow is made up of many factors, in particular:
- service forms - one-time or by subscription;
- scope of work - full or partial;
- additional services - cleaning of drainage systems, ice chipping around the perimeter.
The cost of removing snow from the roof also depends on:
- quality of roofing materials;
- total area and the amount of work required.
Approximate prices for one-time cleaning of a standard roof:
- snow removal - from 30 to 160 rubles per 1 m²;
- cleaning of the roof cornice - 90-160 rubles per square meter;
- chipping of icicles - 50 rubles per 1 running meter;
- duty posts - up to 1,500 rubles per person per day.
The annual subscription service is cheaper and includes additional services:
- unlimited cleaning;
- systematic examination and repair of the resulting damage to the roof.
The final price is formed after a careful examination of the object by the representatives of the company, determining the quantity and quality of the necessary tools, special equipment.
At the end of the topic, we suggest you watch a small but useful video on technology snow plows for a private house:
