Special equipment in the form of modern snow retainers must be mounted on any roofing surface. Such devices can be made in two fundamentally different design solutions. The first option involves reducing the descent speed snow mass, and the second type of snow retainer is a snow barrier and does not allow snow accumulations to pass through.
Soft roofing coverings are characterized by the presence of certain features, which allow the use of a certain category of snow retainers.
Most often this type roofing material used for arranging a surface with a slight angle of inclination, which minimizes the possibility of an avalanche-like descent of snow mass from the roof. It is for this reason that it is advisable to install snow retainers that do not have significant power and dimensions.
Besides everything else, flexible tiles has a significant level of roughness, which also prevents snow from sliding and makes it as easy as possible to fix the snow retention elements.
Under standard conditions, rope tow options are installed. The rope type is known as snow hooks or point snow retainers. Such structures are not designed to contain large snow masses and can be used as additional elements protection. The yokes are screwed to the sheathing base, and to mask the attachment point, another element of roofing material must be laid on top.
To install a flexible roofing surface, it is advisable to use special kits that are not only reliable and aesthetic, but also adapted to the characteristics of such material.
The main manufacturers of snow guards are represented by the traditional countries of Northern Europe. The highest quality and most effective products are produced in Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. IN last years Quite good products from Russian companies began to enter the market. One of the leaders among domestic manufacturers is.
The cost of snow barriers does not significantly depend on the manufacturing company, and the main pricing factors are represented by the material used in manufacturing and the dimensions of the structure.
All produced snow stops can be made of transparent plastic or painted to match soft roof in accordance with . average cost one yoke is about fifty rubles.
The highest quality products are produced by the following companies:
Installation of snow guards must be carried out during the process. To avoid damage, it is necessary to use special rubber gaskets as seals.
The yokes have the peculiarity that they require installation in. The standard design of such snow stops has triangular shape with a long detachable fastening plate, which is attached to the sheathing and covered with roofing material. To prevent leaks, the fixing strip should be covered with bitumen shingles..
Installation of snow stops and their fastening is carried out strictly according to the diagram. The location and number of clasp snow retainers directly depends on roof slope and the type used.
Alpin form. The roof angle is 30-40 degrees. 
Honeycomb shape. The roof angle is 30-40 degrees. 
"Brick" shape. The roof angle is 30-40 degrees. 
"Scales" form. The roof angle is 30-40 degrees.
Honeycomb shape. The roof angle is 40-70 degrees. 
"Scales" form. The roof angle is 40-70 degrees. 
"Brick" shape. The roof angle is 40-70 degrees. 
Dragon Tooth Shape. The roof angle is 40-70 degrees. 
Alpin form. The roof angle is 40-70 degrees.
When installing, you should Special attention parallelism of the fastening relative to the edge of the roofing. To place the first row, you should retreat eighty centimeters from the lower roof edge. Fixation is carried out using long self-tapping screws, and the lower edge of the yoke is attached through one wave.
Let's sum it up
The main advantages of installing high-quality snow retainers or snow stops are the receipt of additional roofing thermal insulation in combination with the uniform distribution of snow loads throughout roof structure. Such equipment is ideal solution to prevent collapses of snow masses and obtain uniform snow melting.
Properly selected snow retainers add additional aesthetics to the roof, ensure the safety of people as effectively as possible, and significantly reduce the level of possible damage.
Installation work on installing snow guards does not involve large material costs and can easily be done independently. In addition, such equipment guarantees a quiet and safe life in your own home.
The technical characteristics of snow yokes vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, which allows the selection to focus on compatibility with the roofing and surrounding landscape design.
Most of the regions of our country are famous for their snowy winters. But it's quite common a natural phenomenon quite often brings considerable trouble to owners of private houses. Snowdrifts that accumulate on the roof over a certain period of time only seem light and fluffy. However, this is a deceptive impression, since they consist of numerous layers, which makes the overall cover dense and very massive.
The layers accumulated on the roof can represent quite real danger, especially in the spring, when thaws begin and the upper layers swell with moisture, become heavier, and the lower layers turn into ice. WITH metal roofing The snow and ice mass that has melted from below can easily slide down, not only damaging the drainage system and causing damage to outbuildings, but also threatening serious injuries to people or animals. Installation snow guards on a metal tile roof will allow you to avoid many of these unpleasant moments, increase the safety of the roof, and increase the durability of the roof, and the building as a whole.
The climatic features of many Russian regions are such that winter period the abundance of snowfall often reaches very impressive levels. It is clear that it will not be possible to avoid the formation of snow caps even on a perfectly smooth roof, unless, of course, the slope of the slopes is made too steep (more than 60 degrees).
Snow that falls in calm weather falls neatly on roof covering, and during the day, under the influence of direct sun rays and the temperature rises, it begins to thaw. By evening, an icy relief crust forms on it, as the temperature drops. Such a surface becomes very favorable for fixing subsequent snow layers.
The thickness of the snow layer during the winter period can grow to very significant values. But such a mass cannot remain indefinitely on a roof, even with a slight slope. And, having reached a certain critical state, it slides off the slope, often very abruptly, like an avalanche, often dragging the roofing material with it.
Such a situation can end tragically for a person or animal who happens to be under the eaves of the roof or in close proximity to it at that moment. And even in the best case, if we don’t look at everything in such gloomy tones, the collapse of such a snow “avalanche” can cause significant damage to the economy - cause the need urgent repairs roofing or seriously damage yard buildings.
In order to minimize the likelihood of occurrence similar situations and special snow-retaining systems various designs. These simple, in principle, devices are designed to reliably hold accumulated large masses of snow on the roof, preventing them from falling down sharply. With the onset of warming, when the snow begins to actively melt, melt water will gradually flow along the terrain into the gutter and be discharged into the storm sewer.
In addition, to avoid the formation of icicles and ice between the eaves overhang and the gutter, some zealous owners also arrange heating for the edges of the roof, as well as the gutter itself. This system is turned on in winter, as needed. But this is a special conversation that requires a separate publication.
Installation snow retention elements are carried out in certain areas of the roof - along the edge of the roof, on top of the roof windows, above the ventilation and chimney pipes. This is necessary so that ice and snow masses do not damage these structures when sliding down.
snow guards
Until recently, snow retention systems were practically not installed on the roofs of Russian private houses. Therefore, the traditional occupation was to clean the roof several times during the winter manually using shovels. It must be said that this task is not an easy one, and in addition, the work of cleaning the roof is unsafe.
Installation today snow guards provided for by building standards and regulations. By the way, it is even interesting that in European countries with harsh and snowy winters (Scandinavia), a house that does not have snow retention systems installed on its roof cannot be insured, since the building is considered unfinished and does not meet safety standards.
Elements of the snow control system can be designed for different loads, which can vary from 80 to 300 kg per meter. Systems designed for higher loads may well become a good support used in conjunction with walkways when carrying out preventive and repair operations. So they become component common system work safety on the roof.
Snow retention systems can be divided into two categories - this is according to the functions they perform and according to the design on which they depend appearance. It should be noted that the aesthetic form snow guards It can even add neatness and aesthetics to the roof. Therefore, when choosing from the range of systems offered for sale, design solution, in which they are made, you can also pay attention.
Due to the fact that today manufacturers offer various options products designed to perform certain functions, it is necessary to indicate how they differ from each other. So, in specialized stores you can find the following systems:
Which option to choose depends on several factors, which include the average statistical data on the thickness of snow cover in winter in a particular region, the angle of the roof, the smoothness or roughness of the coating, as well as its topography. For example, if there is a lot of snow in winter, and the thickness of its layer on the roof can reach 500÷1000 mm, then it is necessary to install the last of the listed types of systems, since small masses of snow and melt water must freely leave the roof.
In regions where the snow load is not so great, they can be installed snow guards, partially holding back the snow, that is, the first option listed.
metal tiles
It is interesting that the system itself for retaining fallen snow on the roof is by no means new. People have long learned to counteract the possible uncontrolled descent of snow and ice from roof slopes. Thus, in some Northern European countries, as snow guards logs of small diameter were used, which were tied to the ridge of the roof and lowered on ropes to the required level of the slope, closer to the eaves overhang.
Today, manufacturers have developed several types of systems with different shapes and designs. Therefore, it is quite possible to choose from among them the option that is most suitable for a particular terrain.
It must be said that for some flat roofing materials, such as bitumen shingles or folded metal coating, fits almost any snow-retaining designs. But for metal tiles and some other roofing materials with a distinctly high relief, it is necessary to select a specific model of system.
When choosing, it is necessary to take into account the fact that snow-retaining elements must be firmly fixed to the roof. This means that they must be placed in places where the roofing covering has reliable support on boards or sheathing bars, since the thin metal of the covering is not able to withstand heavy loads.
More one important point- all metal snow guards must have a protective polymer coating. Otherwise, their life will be short-lived - in a couple of years they will simply be “gobbled up” by corrosion.
Such systems are also often used on roofs covered with metal tiles. They do not have high strength and are not designed for high point loads. Therefore, they cannot, for example, be a support for a technician during repair or maintenance work.
Corner corners are fixed snow guards along the crests of the relief waves. The systems are fixed using the same roofing screws.
For fixing lattice snow retention systems use special supports that are installed in the area of the eaves of the roof. But often this snow-retaining the barrier rises higher - one or two lines of the metal tile relief. The grate perfectly thins large masses of snow as they slide along the roof slope, and retains ice until it melts.
Grilles, when installed on the roof, can form a gap of different heights between their bottom strip and the roof covering. Therefore, when purchasing systems of this type, it is necessary to clarify this parameter.
By the way, such simple devices can be very effective. With them correct placement, the snow on the roof is distributed evenly. Another thing is that if there is too much sediment, they may not fully cope with their task.
In addition, such point barriers have installation features - their elongated brackets are inserted under piece roofing material. So for metal tiles such an option is hardly possible.
Snow guards— “horseshoes” have a curved shape, a size designed for a specific profile. And on the sides there are mounting platforms with holes for fixing them on the roof to the sheathing guides.
These snow guards consist of brackets and metal pipes, having a diameter usually from 15 to 30 mm. The brackets are fixed to the plane of the slope with standard roofing screws with a certain pitch, along the line of fixing the sheets to the sheathing.
There can be from two to four pipes in this design of protective systems. They work on the same principle as lattice ones, that is, they cut layers of snow sliding down the slope, preventing them from falling down in their entire mass. Sometimes tubular snow guards installed in several rows - this is necessary if the roof has big enough area, and the house is located in a region with very snowy winters. This will be discussed below.
All varieties snow retention systems are produced in different color design external protective polymer coating. Therefore, they can be matched to any color of the roofing material (on the RAL scale).
The choice of type of construction will also depend on the strength of the roof truss system. It is clear that if you install completely snow-retaining elements, then the roof should easily withstand the load from the sediment collecting on it. But this is always foreseen when designing the roof - the required operational reserve is built into the strength of the elements of the rafter system.
ceramic tiles
The roof should withstand it if it is designed according to all the rules. But the load application vector caused by the masses of snow is decomposed into two components - perpendicular to the slopes and along them, along the line of the slopes. And this longitudinal load can be quite significant, capable of cutting off or twisting the fasteners snow-retaining elements.
This is all said so that before choosing a certain option snow guards, make preliminary calculations and draw up a project for installing these elements on the roof slopes, taking into account various points. On how correctly they will be fixed snow-retaining devices depends on their functionality, safety and service life. Many factors are taken into account:
Don’t know exactly at what angle the roof slopes are located?
This is easy to calculate mathematically using well-known trigonometric formulas. Probably everyone can measure the linear dimensions of a roof, and then simply insert the resulting values into a special one.
Counting snow retention system, it is very important to achieve a uniform load on the metal tiles, as well as on the structure of the rafter system. It is important to remember that the brackets should not be attached directly to the eaves of the roof. They must be on a rigid foundation, otherwise the overhangs may not withstand the snow load.
So, how to do the calculation.
It should be correctly understood that the most vulnerable element of the snow retention system is the brackets with fasteners. It is clear that the likelihood that the snow will tear a pipe or grill with its weight is not particularly high - rather, it will turn out the fastening or bend the bracket.
Each bracket produced for such systems has its own strength indicators. So, for example, standard holder No. 76b for two-pipe snow guard, can withstand a load of 300 kg. But a “lighter” mounting option, bracket No. 62, is designed for a maximum load of only 110 kg. This means that this must be taken into account when choosing a system and when planning its installation on the roof. It is likely that one row of barriers will not be able to hold the amount of snow typical for your region. This means you have to install snow guards in two (and sometimes more) rows, evenly distributing them along the length of the slope.
To do this, you can use the following formula:
M=i ×L×Ns ×sinα,
M is the load caused by the mass of snow drifts along the edge of the roof slope, directed along the roofing.
i- coefficient taking into account the force of friction on the roofing. It would not be a big mistake to take this coefficient as 0.8.
L- length of the slope from the ridge to the installation line snow guards
Ns- the value of snow load, established through long-term meteorological observations for a specific region.
sinα - sine of the roof slope angle (α) - is necessary for correct calculation of the vector of force application along the slope.
Where to get the value Ns? This can be checked with your local weather service. Or use a table or map of zoning the territory of Russia according to the level of snow load. An example of such a map is given below:
To make it easier for the reader to carry out independent calculations, below is a calculator that will perform the calculations in just a few seconds.
In regions with snowy winters, there is a common problem - avalanche-like snow falling from the roof of a house, which can not only cause material damage, but also claim the lives of passers-by. This problem can be avoided by installing snow guards on the roof. These structures allow you to keep the main layer of snow on the roof surface. Only by melting can water from the snow flow freely through the gutters. The type of snow guards is selected depending on several important factors: slope angle, roofing material and amount of snow cover in the region. Let's take a closer look at what types of snow guards there are and what are the features of their installation on different roofs.
Snow guards for the roof can be purchased together with the roofing material when building a house, or they can be purchased separately when the house is already built. In different stores, such devices may be called differently: snow blocking fences, snow stops, snow stops, snow cutters, snow barriers, snow stops, and of course, snow retainers. This variety of names is due to the fact that these simple devices can perform different functions.
First category - snow barriers or snow blocking barriers- completely retain snow on the roof surface. Snow should melt naturally on the roof. The removal of its layers even partially from the roof is unacceptable.
Second category - snow cutters- designed to cut the total layer of snow into small pieces. Thus, its energy during the fall is much lower than it would be if the entire layer of snow went down in an avalanche. This is enough to ensure safety.
Roof snow guards differ not only in shape and size, but also in material and structural reliability. First of all, when choosing a particular type of snow retainer, you need to focus on how much snow it should hold back.
A tubular snow retainer for a roof is a structure made up of brackets into which two pipes with a diameter of 15 - 30 mm are inserted. The total height of the structure is about 15 cm. The bracket looks like a vertical plate with holes for pipes. At the bottom of the bracket there is a horizontal shelf for attaching to the roof slope. Metal screws 8x60 mm with a hex head are screwed into it. Sometimes the type of bracket may differ depending on what type of roofing material the snow retainer will be used for. The installation method may also differ.
The strength of the tubular snow retainer structure depends on the distance between the lower pipe and the roof surface. The optimal distance is 2 - 3 cm from the roof to the first pipe and 8 - 10 cm between the pipes.
Important! Tubular snow guards can be installed on roofs with very high slopes of up to 60°. Indeed, in such cases, the snow pressure is very high and its movement occurs very often. On roofs with a slope of more than 60°, snow guards are not installed at all, since it is believed that snow does not linger on them and falls off immediately.
Tubular snow cutters belong to the category of snow retainers that are designed to cut a layer of snow into several parts. These designs are considered the most reliable, able to withstand powerful pressure snow layer and can be used on roofs of any type - sheet, roll soft materials, as well as from natural tiles. They are installed along the entire perimeter of the building, along the entire slope. Moreover, the installation of tubular snow cutters is carried out in a continuous row, and not in a running pattern. Sometimes, when the snow load is very high, two rows of snow guards are placed at a distance of 2 - 3 m from each other.
The lower row of tubular snow guards is secured above load-bearing wall, i.e. at a distance of 40 - 50 cm from the eaves overhang. After installation, they are practically invisible against the background of the roof, because the color of the snow guards can be matched to the color of the roof. Typically, tubular structures are made of galvanized steel, and the top is covered with a layer of paint to match the color of the roofing material. As a result, the product is durable and non-corrosive.
Lattice snow guards for the roof come in a variety of sizes. Universal type of design: brackets to which a vertical grille is attached. All parts are made of galvanized steel, painted on top, so that the gratings can also be matched to the color of the roof. But the size of the grate may be different. The largest ones are 15 - 20 cm high, but there are also small ones, where the height of the grate is no more than 5 - 7 cm. Naturally, depending on the size, lattice snow retainers can hold different volumes of snow.
A large steel grate is capable of resisting large volumes of snow and ice flakes. As a rule, the entire layer of snow is retained on the roof, including the smallest pieces of ice, and only melted water flows down.
Lattice snow guards are installed on long slopes with a fairly large slope to ensure that blocks of snow are kept from falling. The effectiveness of these actions depends on the height of the grate. Also, the roofing material does not matter either; almost all materials have their own types of fasteners.
Important! Please note that tubular snow guards are a more durable design. If the volume of snow is too large, the slatted plates can buckle, bending outward under the pressure of the block. This does not happen with pipes due to the strength of the structure. The strength of lattice snow guards is also affected by the shape and reliability of the brackets or guides. You should not purchase flimsy products that are the same thickness as the grill itself.
There are also designs of lattice snow retainers, in which the lattice is welded to longitudinal pipes. In this case, the product turns out to be extremely reliable.
Installation of lattice snow guards is carried out in a row along the eaves of the slope. If the length of the slope is more than 5.5 m and the snow load in the region is high, then in addition to lattice ones, other types of snow barriers are installed, for example, plate ones.
For small amounts of snow on the roof, corner snow guards are installed. They are mainly installed on roofs made of metal tiles or corrugated sheets, since the snow guards themselves are made of the same material and have the same color.
As can be seen in the photo showing corner snow guards for the roof, they are metal products bent into a triangular structure with two edges and shelves for attachment to the base. The height of such snow guards is from 4 to 6 cm. They are usually installed on roofs where the slope angle does not exceed 30 °, since they simply cannot withstand high pressure.
Fastening corner snow guards is applied directly to the roofing material, including the top wave of corrugated materials.
Install similar snow impellers along the ridge in a checkerboard pattern in several rows, from 2. The distance between rows is from 50 cm to 1 m.
Corner snow retainers are not very durable and are not able to keep a large layer of snow from sliding, so they are used in regions where there is not much precipitation. The roof also needs to be regularly cleared of snow.
Snow yokes, or hooks as they are also called, are not a way to retain any significant volume of snow, so they are used as an addition to lattice and tubular snow retainers, as well as on soft roofs with a slight slope.
On a soft roof, snow usually stays on its own; this is facilitated by the rough surface of the material and the granule topping. For example, snow accumulates on bitumen shingles or roofing felt and is held without problems. And if the roof slope is small, then snow melting is unlikely. However, for safety reasons, spot snow retainers are installed in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 50 - 70 cm from each other.
The peculiarity of the yokes is that they can only be installed at the stage of roof installation. They are triangles with a long plate for attaching to the sheathing. The plate should be located under the roofing material and attached to the sheathing; bitumen shingles are laid on top and hide the attachment points. Thus, the roof is protected from leaks.
Wooden logs are used very rarely to retain snow. They can be found on no less rare wooden roof- shingles or shingle roofing. The logs are installed on special hooks, which are secured to the sheathing or rafters of the roof structure. The larger the diameter of the log, the greater the volume of snow such a snow support can hold.
The log itself is located at a small height above the roof surface - 2 - 3 cm. Therefore, melting snow can flow freely to the gutters. The rest of the snow is held until it melts completely.
It is best to install snow guards together with the roofing material. Sometimes it is recommended to install snow barriers not along the entire perimeter of the roof, but only above important objects: pedestrian paths, car parking, skylights and balconies. Installation locations are selected on the basis that when a snow avalanche descends from a roof with a slope of 35°, the snow fall zone is 0.4 - 1.5 m from the roof overhang.
The distance from the snow retainer to the eaves overhang should be from 50 cm to 80 cm. Snow retainers cannot be mounted directly on the eaves overhang. The only exception is when the cornice is formed rafter legs roofs.
Important! If you install snow retention structures on or near the eaves overhang, the collapse of the eaves along with the snow retention structures and a snow avalanche will inevitably occur. Lightweight design the overhang is simply not able to withstand such pressure.
For roof snow guards, the price depends on the type of product, material of manufacture, size and popularity of the manufacturer's brand. And it can vary in the range from 1.5 to 230 USD.
Metal tiles are by far the most common roofing material. But its very design suggests that snow will fall on it very often. The smooth surface of the material practically does not retain snow. And the sensitivity of the material to temperature changes contributes to the fact that during the day the snow melts and slides down along the surface of the metal tile, carrying the entire layer of snow and ice.
Considering all this, snow guards for metal tiles are simply an urgent need.
For roofs covered with metal tiles, you can use the following types of snow guards:
The latter are used only on slopes with a slight slope and in regions with little snow in winters. In other cases, tubular and lattice structures are used, as they are the most durable and easiest to install.
Produced directly through the roofing material:
We remind you that it is necessary to attach snow guards above a load-bearing wall. To install a snow guard over dormer window, it is necessary to strengthen the sheathing.
If the slope is longer than 5.5 m, two rows of snow guards should be installed.
Depending on the type of metal tile, the design of the bracket supports varies. For example, for installation on Monterrey metal tiles, snow retainers are used, the brackets of which are equipped with a special protrusion. This makes it possible not to strengthen the sheathing.
The surface of the corrugated sheet is as smooth and sensitive to temperature changes as that of metal tiles. Therefore, snow retainers are simply necessary to keep snow on the roof. In addition, the melted snow freezes in the evening, when the next day the melted snow again begins to move along the roof, ice flakes scratch the corrugated sheeting. As a result, over time, the galvanized coating is peeled off, scratches appear in which rust develops.
Just as in the case of metal tiles, tubular, lattice and plate snow retainers can be used for corrugated sheeting. Most often, tubular snow guards made of galvanized steel, painted to match the corrugated sheet, are used.
Installation of snow guards on a corrugated roof practically no different from installation on metal tiles:
If you plan to install snow guards on an already finished roof, you will have to disassemble part of it to strengthen the sheathing. Or strengthening the structure must be taken care of in advance.
To install corner or plate snow retainers, reinforcement of the sheathing is not required, since they are fixed directly into the sheet of corrugated sheets or metal tiles in the upper wave. The bolt must cut into the wood of the sheathing, otherwise the structure will be fragile. The corner snow support mounts should be located through one wave.
On seam roofs, only tubular and lattice snow retainers are used. The main difference between installing tubular snow retainers on a seam roof is that the brackets have a unique shape and are attached directly to the seam. Thus, the tightness of the coating is not compromised.
As you can see in the photo, fastening to folds made using clamps:
An undeniable advantage of attaching snow retainers to a seam roof is that there is no need to strengthen the sheathing. All work is carried out from above, onto the finished roofing material. As a result, the design turns out to be quite reliable, since the main snow pressure is distributed along the fold.
Please note that not all snow guards for standing seam roofing are made of galvanized steel. There are models made of copper. They are not sold as a set, but individually: a piece of pipe, lower and upper brackets. Prices for copper snow guards are higher than for regular ones, but copper seam roofing is not a cheap pleasure.
Soft roofing has its own characteristics, which affect the choice of the type of snow guards and installation nuances:
For soft roofs, yokes are most often used, less often - tubular snow retainers.
Installation of tubular snow retainers on a soft roof is practically no different from installation on corrugated sheets or metal tiles. The disadvantage of fastening such a structure is that the fasteners are located on top, i.e. The seal of the coating may be compromised.
Triangular yokes or stoppers are attached using this technology:
If the roof is already installed, the yokes can also be fixed on top; in this case, gaskets made of weather-resistant rubber are used.
In conclusion, I would like to say that in our conditions snowy winters The use of snow guards on roofs is mandatory. However, it is still necessary to clean the roof once every week or two, depending on the amount of precipitation that has fallen. You can get rid of the need to clean the roof and trap snow by installing a heating cable under the roof. This way, the snow will immediately melt and flow down the drain. The formation of icicles and snow avalanches is excluded.
One of mandatory conditions When installing any roof, including soft roofing, its safety is important. Therefore, during installation, it is necessary to provide for the installation of elements such as snow retainers for soft roofs.
The snowmaker is important element to ensure safety, the main function of which is to prevent widespread, avalanche-like melting of snow and ice during thaws and spring snowmelt.
Lack of snow retention on the roof can have serious consequences, including:
And the organization of snow retention on a soft roof has its own characteristics compared to the same measures carried out on a metal roof.
According to the standards adopted in construction, the maximum slope angle allowed when installing a soft roof should not exceed 15 degrees.
That is, the roof turns out to be quite flat, and the risk of an avalanche of snow is not so great. Therefore, it is possible to use less powerful installations for snow retention.
The second feature is that the soft roof covering has a rough surface, because upper layer roofing material consists of stone chips. This condition also reduces the risk of snow masses sliding off the roof.
The third feature is that when installing snow guards, you do not have to make major changes to the design of the sheathing, as is necessary to do in the case of a metal roof.
The fact is that for the installation of a soft roof, a solid base is mounted, to which the snow guards are attached.
There are several types of snow guards that are mounted on the roof. When choosing the type of device, the planned snow load, as well as the type of roofing, are taken into account.
As a rule, installation of snow guards is carried out simultaneously with roofing work. If this was not done in a timely manner, then snow retention devices can be installed over the finished coating.
Snow guards are installed, placing them parallel to the eaves, retreating from the edge of the roof by approximately 350-500 mm. The method of mounting devices depends on their type. Thus, tubular snow retainers are mounted in one line, while corner or point ones are installed in a checkerboard pattern.
If in the region where construction is taking place, it falls a large number of snow, and the roof slopes are quite long, then snow guards should be installed in two rows with a gap of 5-5.5 meters between them.
If the snow load is insignificant, you can not install devices along the entire perimeter of the building, but strengthen them in the most dangerous places– above the entrance, near paths, above windows, near a car parking area, etc.
If you plan to install tubular models, then, as a rule, they are sold complete with fasteners. Installation of such a snow retainer is carried out by attaching it to the sheathing through the roofing using screws.
Advice! Tubular snow guards are installed along the location line load-bearing wall to balance the load on the roof.
The distance between two adjacent fastenings should be 0.6 - 1.1 meters. The holes made in the roofing for screws must be sealed using rubber strips (seals are included in the mounting kit).
For soft roofs, snow stoppers or point snow retainers are more often used. This device is a narrow strip of steel that is bent at the end into a triangle. Snow stoppers are made from either galvanized steel or powder-coated metal.
Installation is best done while laying the roofing material, screwing the snow stoppers to the base and covering the place of its attachment with the next sheet of roofing material.
If a snow retainer for a soft roof is attached to an already finished roof, rubber seals must be used. This will avoid leaks in the mounting area.
It is better to use for clearing snow wooden tools, but if it is necessary to break off ice, you have to resort to ice axes or similar devices. However, when working with these tools, you need to exercise maximum caution so as not to damage the roofing with your actions.
It is necessary to clear not only the roofing itself of snow and adhered ice, but also the snow retainers, since ice accumulates on these devices, which prevents the normal melting of snow.
