Do-it-yourself roof removal from snow

DIY device for cleaning snow from the roof

We are glad to see you on the site of useful tips. Winter is coming to an end, and clearing the roof of snow remains one of the main issues at this time.

Do you know that what is 1 cubic meter? m of snow weighs approximately 750 kg, just imagine the load the roof, joists, and the entire building are under.

This year we even had a roof collapse in the Magnit hypermarket and thank God it happened at night and not during rush hour when it was full of people. Well, okay, I think since you came across our article about a device for removing snow from the roof, then you know about all the consequences if you don’t clean it on time.

We would like to note right away that this device is not suitable for strip roofs; you will have to remove snow from such roofs with your own hands.

1. Wear warm but light clothing in which you can easily move around the roof. Choose shoes that are not slippery, and if you have boots with spikes, they will be the most suitable equipment in dealing with snow. Be sure to use a long, strong rope, especially if you have a high roof.

5. Throw the snow thrown off the roof away from the house, otherwise as it gets warmer it will begin to melt and water may get into the house.

An important detail that requires attention and maintenance in winter is the gutters. During the cold period, ice is not allowed to appear in the gutters. Alternating frosts and thaws cause water and snow to melt and freeze. As a result, the gutters accumulate masses of ice and debris, which prevent timely cleaning of the roof, and this can, in turn, lead to leaks and reduce its service life.

Throwing snow from the roof is prohibited: on various wires, on the edges of the roof of houses and buildings located below, on vegetation (trees) growing below, on that part of the building where there are protruding architectural elements or wall equipment. In the second case, you can use a special scraper. This device looks like an inverted shovel, to which a handle with a telescopic mechanism is attached. Its length will allow you to clean the roof of even a two-story house.

You can easily make such a device yourself; just take an ordinary shovel for clearing snow and attach extension elements (shovel handles, regular long beams, etc.) to the handle with self-tapping screws or wire. Cleaning is carried out from below, carefully raking the snow mass, while trying not to damage the glazing of the house.

The main methods of influencing snow and ice

How to remove snow, ice or frost from the roof, including icicles, without damaging the roof covering?

Consider the list of main impacts on snow and ice:

• physical movement;
• mechanical destruction;
• vibration;
• heat.

Physical movement is the simplest impact.

Its essence is that they rest against snow or ice with some object and, using physical force, push the mass from top to bottom.

Such an impact does not require any complex technique or great skills, but directly depends on physical form, namely on:

• coordination of movements;
• balance;
• accuracy;
• eye gauge.

This method of influence is effective only in relation to :

Therefore, using this effect, snow can be removed at any time, and ice can be cleared only during a thaw. Attempting to clear ice during freezing conditions will only result in damage to the roof or equipment.

Mechanical destruction is sawing. This effect is used if the thickness of the ice layer exceeds 20 centimeters. For sawing, conventional electric and gasoline saws are used.

This method of influence is very difficult to implement , so it is used only when no other methods have yielded results, and the ice must be removed urgently.

Vibration is one of the very effective methods that works on snow in any weather, and on ice only in positive weather.

A huge advantage of this method is that everything can be done in the attic without climbing out onto the slippery roof.

The downside is the very high requirements for the rafter system - the effect will be effective if all the boards of the rafter system are free of rot and damage.

Heating the roof is effective as a preventative measure because it prevents snow from caking and sticking to the roof, turning into ice.

However, heating the roof is ineffective against a thick layer of compacted snow and ice.

The exception is simultaneous exposure to:

In this case, even a thick layer of ice can be cleaned without any problems. The disadvantage of this method is the huge energy consumption if the roof is heated. If you heat snow and ice from above, you will need a powerful gas burner.

How to clean a roof

All methods of clearing the roof of snow, which we will discuss below, can be divided according to the location of the person who will do this work:

• standing on the ground;
• from the stairs;
• from a self-propelled lift;
• from the attic;
• from the roof.

We will also talk about a method for cleaning a flat roof (soft roof) and such an exotic method of dealing with snow as sawing.

This method is effective in cases where it is not possible to remove snow in time.

Therefore, accumulates , which can damage:

We recommend that you carefully read the article (Safety precautions) and only after that start cleaning the roof using any method. After all, following safety rules will protect you from injury and death.

Standing on the ground

This cleaning method is used only for one-story, not too high private houses, in which the distance to the lower edge of the roof does not exceed 3 meters.

To work you will need:

• wooden or plastic (you can use a homemade) scraper;
• handle 4–5 meters long;
• a handle 6–8 meters long (it can be made from a plastic water pipe of a suitable diameter);
• assistant.

For work, you can use either one scraper with replaceable handles, or several scrapers with different handle lengths.

problem is that storing a scraper with a handle over 6 meters long is very difficult, so the best choice would be a scraper with a collapsible handle. We talked about making such a scraper and a handle for it in the article (equipment). In this case, you can increase the length gradually as you clean the roof.

Start cleaning with icicles, which must be carefully knocked off with a scraper.

How to knock icicles off a roof without damaging it?

To do this, the scraper is taken away from the house (swing) and hit on the icicles 10–15 centimeters below the edge of the roof.

Do not hit icicles near the roof; a strong blow may damage the roof .

If the temperature outside is above zero, then hit the icicles not hard, but several times to tear them away from the main mass of ice.

During frost, just shorten them and that’s it. After this, carefully place the scraper on the roof (the distance to the lower edge of the roof is 30–50 centimeters) and gently pull it towards you. If the snow is compacted, you can reduce this distance to 10–20 centimeters.

Do not try to pull the scraper too much; if it encounters any obstacle, lift it to get around the obstacle .

In both cases, trying to forcefully remove the obstacle will not lead to anything good.

After cleaning the bottom of the roof along the perimeter, proceed to cleaning the next area, located a little higher. Cleaning the roof along the perimeter, go up to the top ridge.

If a snow guard is installed on the roof, lift the scraper so that it passes over it. Do not press the scraper against the roof; its weight is sufficient to remove snow safely.

How to remove frost or ice from the roof of a private house in the safest way for roofing? The most gentle option : heating combined with vibration or light mechanical impact during a thaw. The most incorrect one is strong mechanical impact in cold weather.

Do you have a gasoline snow blower and want to know how to properly use and maintain it? Read the article about the maintenance of a gasoline snow blower. Have you bought an electric snow blower but don't know how to operate it? All the necessary information is here. Don’t want to spend money on expensive equipment, but are you also tired of clearing snow with a regular shovel? Then read this article: https://rcycle.net/sneg-i-led/snegouborochnaya-tehnika/mehanicheskie-lopaty-so-shnekom-ili-elektrolopaty

From the stairs

This method is suitable for one-story houses in which the lower edge of the roof is located at a height of 3–4 meters.

To work you will need:

• a lightweight scraper 40–60 centimeters wide with a handle 2–3 meters long;
• a wooden block (you can use a chair or stool leg) or a small rubber mallet;
• stepladder or extension ladder at least 4 meters long with tip-over protection (wide bottom step);
• safety belt;
• two assistants.

Place the ladder so that the angle of inclination relative to the ground is no more than 60 degrees.

Climb onto the ladder and fasten your belt.

Both partners must belay the ladder (one on the side, the other on the back) so that it does not fall, even if you fall.

First, use a wooden block to knock down the icicles at a distance of 5–10 centimeters from the roof.

It is undesirable to hit higher, because you can damage the roof.

During frost and thaw, proceed as described in the previous section.

If it is necessary to completely remove icicles during frost, then hit them with a block from the wall of the house, so the likelihood of damage to the roof is minimal . Hit lightly with a light wooden block or rubber mallet.

When you're done knocking down the icicles, throw the block down or tuck it into your belt, then ask an assistant to hand you the scraper.

Take the scraper while standing straight, as tilting can cause the ladder to move . Place the scraper on the roof to the side of you (make sure that a helper is standing on the opposite side), and the distance from the scraper to the edge of the roof should not be more than 15 centimeters.

Clear the snow in strips 1.5–2 meters long and 10–15 centimeters wide , moving the scraper from top to bottom without exerting much effort.

After cleaning the strip, lift the scraper upward, gradually moving from the bottom of the roof to the top ridge .

After cleaning one area from bottom to top, move on to another.

• unfasten from the ladder;
• get down to the ground.

Then rearrange the ladder, climb on it and buckle up again.

From the cradle of a self-propelled lift

self-propelled lifts based on trucks. These devices lift a load weighing 200–300 kilograms 20–30 meters.

To clear snow and ice from a self-propelled lift you will need:

• safety belt;
• folding scraper;
• wooden block or rubber mallet.

Having climbed into the cradle of the lift, fasten the safety belt to its grille. Having risen to the roof, use a block to knock down icicles at a distance of 5–10 centimeters from the roof.

If you need to completely remove the icicles, then lightly hit the icicles with a mallet from the side or from the side of the wall. After this, clean the roof in the same way as described in the previous sections.

Snow should not fall into the cradle , so clean the roof slightly to the side of it. Do not try to remove ice build-up. This will either damage the roof or cause the cradle to swing violently.

You can remove ice build-up or a thick layer of ice only by standing in the attic or roof, combining:

• thermal effects;
• vibration effect.

During frost and thaw, proceed as described in the previous sections.

Standing on the roof

To remove snow and ice, you will need a shovel with a wooden or plastic bucket . You can also use a plastic scraper with a handle 1.5–2 meters long. A wooden scraper is not suitable because it is too heavy.

In addition, you will need wooden or plastic ladders, because walking on ice and snow is only possible on roofs without a slope. Going down the ladder to the very bottom of the roof, use a shovel to knock down the icicles.

For this:

• lower the shovel bucket to the level of the middle of the icicles;
• holding the handle of the shovel by the edge with your left hand, move the shovel to the right with your right hand to swing;
• smoothly, with not too much effort, move the shovel to the left, making a swing;
• During the thaw, try to remove all the icicles from the roof by hitting them several times.

• turn the shovel over so its bucket is facing the roof;
• lower it onto the snow (distance from the edge of the roof is 20–40 centimeters);
• push the snow mass down.

Do not try to clear all the snow all the way to the roof, as this will only damage the roofing material. The permissible remainder between the shovel and the roof is 5–10 centimeters.

Follow this rule even during a thaw, this will protect your roof from damage.

Clean the entire piece of roof up to the ridge in the same way, then move the ladder and begin cleaning the next area.

If you are cleaning the roof during a thaw , then after removing the top layer of snow from the entire roof, try to carefully push off the loose pieces of ice.

Do not try to break through or knock down the ice, as this will only damage the roof.

You can very lightly, moving the shovel only with your fingers and hands (without the participation of your forearms), lightly strike the ice with the bucket from top to bottom to move it.

If the ice does not go down after several hits, stop hitting and move to another area.

If you do not use a shovel, but a plastic scraper, then the sequence of actions with it is the same.

This is the most:

a method of removing snow and ice, but it can only be used where all the boards of the rafter system are not damaged by rot or cracks.

For such cleaning you will need 2-3 electric motors with a power of 50-100 watts with a shaft rotation speed of up to 2 thousand revolutions per minute, as well as a hockey puck.

Instead of a washer, you can use a wooden or metal block . You need to make a vibrator from a motor and a washer. To do this, a washer or block is placed on the shaft and secured, but not in the center, but moved to any edge. A metal block can be welded to the shaft, and an adapter can be made for a washer or a wooden block.

One vibrator is enough for 100–150 square meters of roof. Attach the vibrator to any rafter so that the rotating eccentric does not damage anything, and run the wire from it into the house.

The effect of the vibrator will appear 20-60 minutes after it is turned on, so warn your family not to go outside or walk under the edge of the roof while it is working. After all, no one knows exactly when the snow and ice will melt, as well as what the mass of the melted area will be. Usually the snow melts within 2–4 hours and the ice within 5–8 hours.

is most effective during a thaw and on roofs where the roof is heated from the inside.

also increase the efficiency of the vibrator by heating the roof from the outside using a gas burner. To do this you will need the same ladders as in the previous section.

At the same time, exposure to high temperature without the participation of a vibrator is very ineffective.

Cleaning a flat roof

To clear a flat roof, you will need a wooden or plastic snow shovel or an electric or gas snow blower with a metal auger. A plastic or wooden scraper may also come in handy.

Start cleaning from any edge of the roof and move along the perimeter , throwing snow out.

Once you have cleared a strip along the entire perimeter of the roof edge, move a little closer to the center and clean the second strip.

After cleaning 2-3 strips, first move to the edge of the roof and then throw them down.

Under no circumstances should you shovel heaps of snow or try to chip away or cut down ice.

When moving snow from the center of the roof to the edges, make sure that its thickness does not differ from the thickness of the remaining or already thrown off snow.

If you make the layer thicker, you may damage:

During a thaw, do not try to remove ice from the roof. If the roof is fenced with a parapet, then clean the drain holes so that melting water can drain freely.

On flat roofs, especially with a soft roof, all the ice should melt on its own, and the snow should be cleared only to reduce the load on the rafter system.

Existing rules and regulations

Many cities in the Russian Federation have developed their own standards for cleaning roofs from snow and ice, depending on the weather conditions in that particular region. Most often it is indicated that the amount of snow cover on the ravine should not exceed 10 centimeters. The same applies to the size of the icicles on the cornice.

When removing snow and ice, you must follow safety precautions. Working on a roof, especially with a steep slope, on a metal roof is dangerous and requires special precautions. First of all, a special team with experience working at heights is invited to carry out such work.

The BTA group of companies recommends - don’t wait for winter snowfalls, sign contracts in advance for comprehensive maintenance of buildings and structures, which includes cleaning the roofs of buildings and structures!

Also, when carrying out roof cleaning work, close attention is paid to the area adjacent to the house. Often, roof cleaning is carried out mechanically: snow and ice are thrown from the roofs down to the ground using shovels and other devices. In this regard, it is necessary to place warning signs around the house and fence off the area in the cleaning zone, the “danger zone,” by 5-10 meters. Without fail, near the building, in the area adjacent to the cleaning zone, there is a person in charge who monitors the actions of workers on the roof and ensures that no passers-by enter the “dangerous zone.”

Most standards for clearing roofs of snow and ice specify the following requirements:

1. There should be about 5 centimeters left on the roof, which is necessary to ensure that the roofing material is not damaged by snow removal tools.
2. Cleaning is carried out using wooden or plastic devices.
3. Snow removal is carried out so as not to break cornices, balconies or signs located on the facade and other parts of the building

Sawing ice dams

This operation is carried out only if the total weight of the ice poses a threat to the rafter system . To operate, you will need a gasoline or electric saw.

Ice can only be sawed if its thickness exceeds 35 centimeters. They cut the ice from the top ridge. First, a cut is made parallel to the roof slope, at a distance of 5–10 centimeters from the roof.

If you are not sure that you can make a cut parallel to the slope, then increase the distance to the roof . This cut is made along the entire ridge, first on one side, then on the other. To move along the roof, ladders are used.

The ice above the cut is divided into pieces of a convenient size (30–70 centimeters), for which they are sawed through, holding the saw guide parallel to the roof. After which a longitudinal cut is made, which will completely separate the ice from the main ice mass.

The ice bricks are thrown down , then the whole cycle of work is repeated on the next section of the roof. It is taken into account that if the guide bar is parallel to the roof, then the distance from it to the ice will be 2–5 centimeters, depending on the model of the saw. Therefore, the saw is tilted so that the front of the blade is at the level of the already cleaned cut.

The most common mistakes and their consequences

The most common mistake that people with little experience make is trying to chip ice off the roof.

It doesn’t matter what you use to break the ice, a shovel or a crowbar, the consequences are always the same - damage to the roof. The only difference is that the crowbar pierces the material right through, and from blows with a shovel:

• slate and tiles become covered with cracks;
• the protective layer of zinc peels off from the corrugated sheet ;
• the soft roof delaminates.

In the spring, all materials except corrugated sheeting begin to leak, and corrugated sheeting, having lost its thin zinc layer, begins to rust and after 2-4 years a hole appears in it.

Another mistake is trying to cut down icicles on the roof right under the roof at sub-zero temperatures, directing the blow towards the wall of the house or hitting it from above.

A common and very dangerous mistake is to go out onto a roof covered with snow and ice without ladders.

Indeed, in this case, the only way to ensure stability is to use studded shoes.

But spikes damage any roofing material, so there is a very high probability that a roof that has been cleaned without ladders will leak in the spring .

The exception is when clearing snow from the roof by climbers, because they use shoes without spikes, and their stability is provided by:

• tensioned safety rope;
• Huge experience.

After reading this article, you learned:

• how to clear roofs of snow and ice with your own hands or with the help of climbers in various ways;
• how to remove ice from the roof of a private house or high-rise building;
• how to knock down icicles in various conditions.

All the methods for clearing snow from roofs described in the article have one thing in common - they allow you to remove snow and ice without damaging :

• rafter system;
• roof covering.

The choice of method for clearing snow from the roof depends on:

• availability of this or that equipment;
• your physical data;
• technical savvy;
• condition ;
• thickness of the snow and ice layer.

GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1.1. This labor protection instruction was developed on the basis of the “Rules for labor protection when working at height”, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor of Russia No. 155n dated March 28, 2014, “Rules for labor protection in housing and communal services”, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor of Russia No. 439n dated 07.07 .2015, and is designed to perform work on clearing roofs of snow. 1.2. Persons over 18 years of age who have undergone training in working at height, a medical examination and have no contraindications for health reasons, who have undergone introductory and initial workplace safety briefings and have been trained in safe methods and techniques are allowed to work on clearing roofs of snow and ice. works, having undergone on-the-job training and testing of knowledge of labor protection requirements. 1.3. At least once every 6 months, an employee authorized to work on clearing roofs of snow and ice undergoes repeated training on labor safety. 1.4. At least once every 12 months, an employee authorized to work on clearing roofs of snow and ice undergoes another test of knowledge of labor protection requirements. 1.5. An employee authorized to work on clearing roofs of snow and ice undergoes a periodic medical examination in accordance with Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development 302n. 1.6. An employee authorized to work on clearing roofs of snow and ice must know and comply with the requirements of labor protection instructions, internal labor regulations, fire safety, and industrial sanitation. 1.7. When clearing roofs of snow and ice, an employee may be exposed to the following dangerous and harmful production factors: - work near unprotected differences in height; — insufficient illumination of the working area; — increased slipperiness when moving on the roof surface; - snow and ice falling from the roof; — low air temperature; — increased wind speed; - physical overload. 1.8. An employee authorized to work on clearing roofs of snow and ice is provided with protective clothing, safety footwear and other personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with the current Free Issue Standards. 1.9. Issued special clothing, special shoes and other personal protective equipment must correspond to the nature and conditions of work, ensure labor safety, and have a certificate of conformity. 1.10. Personal protective equipment for which there is no technical documentation is not allowed for use. 1.11. The employee notifies his immediate supervisor about any situation that threatens the life and health of people, about every accident that occurs at the workplace, about a deterioration in his health, including the manifestation of signs of an acute illness. 1.12. The presence of unauthorized persons in the work space, as well as being at work in a state of alcohol and/or drug intoxication, and drinking alcoholic beverages in the workplace is not allowed. 1.13. Smoking and eating are allowed only in specially designated and equipped areas. 1.14. A person guilty of violating these instructions is liable in accordance with the current legislation of the Russian Federation.

Removing snow from roofs as a mandatory type of work in winter

The accumulation of snow masses on the roofs leads to accelerated wear, destruction and water leakage into the house. Therefore, in late autumn and especially in winter, removing snow from roofs becomes especially important.

Another serious winter threat is the formation of icicles on the roof, which can weigh tens of kilograms. The danger is that ice and icicles formed on unmaintained roofs suddenly collapse. Not only cars parked under buildings suffer from this, but unfortunately, cases of injury or even death after such collapses are not uncommon.

Therefore, removing snow from the roofs of buildings is not only a matter of maintaining the functionality and maintainability of the roof, but also concern for the safety of people, as well as the safety of buildings or property of car owners.

Polycarbonate snow guards

When polycarbonate with its unique characteristics was developed, the use of this material in the construction industry became a matter of time. Of course, at first it was used as an alternative to plexiglass, which was facilitated by its good resistance to mechanical loads, dense structure and resistance to temperature changes, but gradually the material moved into other industries.

Relatively recently, polycarbonate snow guards have appeared on the market, which, despite all their advantages, are also distinguished by their low cost compared to their metal counterparts. A characteristic feature of polycarbonate products is the possibility of installation only with glue, which allows you to maintain the integrity of the roofing. True, more often a combined method is used for fixation - snow guards are attached to self-tapping screws and glue.

Polycarbonate protection against snow falling from the roof is sometimes simply irreplaceable - it is impossible to install other devices on some types of coatings. For example, if the roof itself is made of polycarbonate, then installing other types of snow guards on it simply will not work due to the sheathing pitch being too large.

It is in such situations that polycarbonate protection of the chimney from snow will come to the rescue. It is simply pointless to fasten it with self-tapping screws, because such a connection is ensured by tightening the rod in a precisely drilled hole. This method does not work well with polycarbonate, so it will be much easier and more reliable to use a good adhesive composition.

Reasons for the need to remove snow from roofs

There are many ways to remove snow from the roofs of houses. The usual and more often used methods of mechanical cleaning are manual - using a shovel, crowbars and other hand tools, and modern - chemical, using heated roofs, the use of laser and ultrasonic devices. It should be noted that when performing any work to remove snow from roofs with your own hands, you must strictly follow safety rules. Often, they are neglected, forgetting about the sad consequences - injuries, disability and even death.

Before you start cleaning the roof manually, you need to find out what is under the snow layer in order to assess the safety of the work.

Existing risks when working to remove snow from roofs:

1. the roof slope is too steep;
2. high house height;
3. ice crust on the roof covering;
4. roofs with a complex pitched structure (for example, multi-gable).

DIY snow removal from flat roofs

During the cold season, snow removal from the roofs of buildings should be carried out regularly. This is done to prevent excessive accumulation of snow and icing on the roof surface. This rule especially applies to flat roofs, on which there is almost no opportunity for snow and ice deposits to clear up on their own in a timely manner. Only during short thaws can melted snow masses and ice crust drain in the form of water through installed drains, naturally, if they are operational. When the temperature drops quickly, the moisture in the gutters freezes and can damage them, deform them and reduce the ability to drain water in the future. This type of roof must be cleaned constantly, for example, with a shovel, paying attention to the timely cleaning of gutters.

Poor thermal insulation contributes to the appearance of a crust of ice on the roofing surface. This is explained by the structure of the attic, which has zones of heat and cold. In cold zones, the temperature in winter remains constantly low, in warm zones, where ventilation ducts or a chimney pipe pass, the temperature changes, and unpleasant surprises arise in the form of an ice crust. Timely and regular clearing of snow from the roof will save the owner from icing.

It is important to remember: The amount of snow accumulating on the roof directly depends on the angle of inclination of its slopes. The greater the slope, the less snow accumulates on it - it falls from the roof under its own weight. To prevent the formation of ice crusts and icicles, you need to regularly clean the roof.

How to remove snow from the roof from the ground

If the house is one-story, then you can throw snow off the roof without climbing onto it, from the ground. For this, various devices are used: scrapers, trimming frames, etc.

Scrape snow off the roof with a scraper

In the trade you can select scrapers of various configurations. As a rule, they are equipped with a lightweight aluminum telescopic rod up to 6 meters. If the roof is made of ondulin, flexible tiles or has a polymer coating, then you should choose a scraper with a soft, rubber or silicone edge. To avoid damaging the roof covering.

Snow is raked starting from the lower edge of the roof, gradually moving towards the ridge.

Frames for trimming the snow layer

In regions where there is a lot of precipitation in winter, the thickness of the snow cover can be quite large. In this case, cleaning with a scraper is a long and labor-intensive operation. A device in the form of a frame, to which a slippery cloth is attached below, will come to the rescue. Made of plastic or film.

The principle of operation is extremely simple: a thin frame cuts a layer of snow that falls on the canvas, slides over it and rolls down.

Cleaning, as in the case of a scraper, begins from the bottom edge of the roof.

The video clearly shows this method.

But you don’t have to buy snow removal tools. For a “handy craftsman”, making such a device with your own hands is not difficult.

We remove snow from the roof with the help of specialists

If the roof has a complex configuration, a large area, or an acute slope angle, then it is better to use the help of specialists. As a rule, this is a specialized team of climbers with professional equipment.

Modern methods of cleaning roofs from icicles

Removing snow from roofs and, more importantly, from freezing icicles is a very labor-intensive process that requires skills and experience. If funds are available, this problem can be solved using new technologies.

For these purposes use:

• ultrasonic devices;
• laser devices;
• chemical reagents;
• laying of electric heating cable.

Any of the proposed methods for preventing the appearance of ice crusts or icicles on the roof has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of all of the above methods is that cleaning is carried out without the obligatory presence of a person on the roof.

The disadvantages are the high price of the equipment, and the results from using such devices are not always positive. Ice formation on eaves, roofing and gutters cannot be completely avoided. In addition, the listed innovative methods have a high risk of uncontrolled melting of ice from the roof.

More effective and safe is the use of anti-icing chemical compositions. This roofing treatment is carried out at the very beginning of the cold season. To create such compositions, various combinations of solutions are used: fluoroplastic, with the addition of rubber, and organosilicon.

The effect of such compositions is simple - due to the properties of the substances included in the solutions, the adhesion of the roof surface and ice is greatly reduced, and it freely comes off the roof. An obstacle to snow melting is the presence of a high fence on the roof.

The use of different electric heating cables is considered technically difficult. Their installation requires correct and accurate calculations, which can only be performed by specialists, and the system itself has a fairly high consumption of electrical energy. In addition, the system requires periodic inspection and monitoring of its serviceability by professionals.

It is important to remember: the use of innovative technologies carries the risk of uncontrolled snow and ice falling off the roof. Therefore, you should not leave cars, garden furniture, barbecues and other property in potentially dangerous areas.

Lattice snow guards

Lattice devices for retaining snow, also called decorative, are installed exclusively along the edge of the roof using brackets.

The list of advantages of these devices looks impressive:

• Versatility, allowing the use of lattice snow guards on any roof;
• Safety for roofing and drainage systems;
• When using this type of snow retainer, snow easily falls off the roof and is divided into small parts, which simplifies the process of melting.

Most often, lattice snow guards are installed on a roof made of natural tiles and are more of a decorative character. Of course, such a design will be able to hold broken pieces of tile on the roof surface, but it is unlikely to withstand large amounts of snow. In addition, if the snow retainer falls off, it will most likely pull the cornice with the drain along with it.

To improve fastening and reduce the load on the supporting elements, they need to be attached directly to the rafter frame, and not to the covering itself. To make the structure as strong and reliable as possible, it is advisable to reinforce the attachment points with additional boards - that is, all roof elements, including snow retainers, need to be thought out in advance.

In general, lattice devices have both pros and cons, so you need to choose the right elements wisely. What these snow guards cannot be denied is their decorative properties, which allow the implementation of the most non-standard design ideas. If the region where the building is located is not characterized by a high level of snow precipitation, then lattice snow barriers should be paid attention first.