CHENANGO COUNTY– Due to the heavy snow and ice accumulation this winter, the ongoing threat of more snow and a forecast of rising temperatures, Chenango County Bureau of Fire and Office of Emergency Management urges residents to inspect and clear their roofs and decks to prevent structural collapses, leaking roofs and other accidents caused by hazardous loads of melting snow and ice.
Chenango's Fire Coordinator and Director of Emergency Management, Matt Beckwith, said there has been a wave of roof collapses throughout the Northeast due this winter's heavy snow fall and record low temperatures. Regular snowstorms and freezing temperatures have created a build-up of snow and ice on rooftops.
“It should heighten the awareness for people to inspect and possibly remove snow from their rooftops before they give way or cause significant damage,” said Beckwith. “Be mindful, from the ground it may not look like much, but once you start looking closely, you may be amazed as to how much snow and ice is actually on your roof.”
According to Beckwith, as the snow and ice begins to melt, there is more danger of structural damage, leaks and accidents. He said snow is heavy, and its weight only increases when rain, ice and sleet are added to the mix.
“Two feet of snow on the average-sized roof can be the equivalent of 38,000 pounds, or 19 tons. All of this weight puts stress on your roof and weakens its structure. Depending on the pitch of the roof, whether it is covered with steel or shingles and the truss design, are just some of the factors to determine if your roof can handle the increasing weight of the snow and ice,” said Beckwith.
Not only do residents have to worry about the weight of the snow and ice, said Beckwith, but complicating matters more is the snow and ice melting, which can cause water seepage. Beckwith said water seepage can rot roofs, destroy insulation, flood attics, ruin gutters and damage the interior of your home.
“Make sure your residential ventilation system is not covered. Most houses have an exhaust system for their interior septic system and heating system, protruding through the roof line. Make sure these vents are not covered. If they are, the natural ventilation of your house is compromised and will not be able to circulate sufficient air through your building,” said Beckwith.
“Covered ventilation pipes could lead to a deadly buildup of carbon monoxide gas inside your house or building,” he added.
Beckwith said it is important to be aware of the risk involved with roof snow removal. He said it is important to make sure the addition of people's body weight to the roof will not make an already stressed roof system collapse, because it could be just enough weight to trigger it to collapse. Another hazard to be aware of is that roofs are very slippery due to the snow and ice, which is why Beckwith said it is best for people to secure themselves to the roof when climbing it.
“Ultimately you may want to invest in a roof rake where a person may work on clearing their roof from the safety of the ground.” said Beckwith.
The county fire coordinator and director of emergency management said some signs of a potential roof collapse include seeing any kind of sagging; hearing creaking, cracking or popping sounds; severe roof leaks; bowed pipes attached at the ceilings; cracks in the walls or masonry; doors that pop open; and doors or windows that are difficult to open.
“If you see any sagging or hear any creaking sounds, you should get out of the building as quickly as possible, as these are strong indicators of an imminent collapse,” said Beckwith.
“In addition to your roofs, take heed of decks. Often times modifications and 'improvements' are made to a building over time and may not be up to coding standards. This makes them highly susceptible to collapse under the weight of the snow and ice,” he added.
Beckwith said the best option to remove snow build-up is to use a roof rake from the safety of the ground. He said to remove snow and ice, start from the edge and work into the roof using downward strokes. “Try to scrape the snow along the bottom of the roof, shaving two or three inches off. There's no need to scrape the roof entirely clean, as this will risk damage to your roof shingles or other roof covering,” he said.
“Metal snow rakes conduct electricity if they come into contact with a power line, so be careful. Also, avoid using a ladder when removing the snow; the ladder's rungs can freeze and cause you to slip. Instead of the ladder, buy extension poles or a longer rake to reach higher portions of the roof. The average roof rake can be purchased from your local hardware store,” said Beckwith.
In order to prevent ice damage, Beckwith said to get snow off the roof before it can cause ice damage, add insulation to attic floors, clean gutters bi-annually and keep gutters and drains free of ice and snow during the winter months.
Beckwith encourages residents to contact the Chenango County Code Enforcement Office at 337-1796 or the Chenango County Bureau of Fire and Office of Emergency Management at 334-5564 with any questions or concerns regarding their roof systems.