The roof on this shed at the Roger Aspengren farm collapsed from the weight of the snow on Friday, March 15. With more soon arriving over the weekend, removing snow from the roof is becoming a priority so more collapses don’t occur. Even two feet of snow on a roof can be the equivalent of 19 tons of weight.

Snow causes shed roof to collapse
Prevent a roof collapse by removing snow and ice 

by Karin L. Nauber
karin@inhnews.com

On Friday, March 15, the roof of a shed on the Roger Aspengren farm located between Eagle Bend and Clarissa, collapsed, damaging some tractors and other equipment that was located in the building. 

Gary Sales was on a ladder going up to begin removing snow from the roof when it collapsed. He was not hurt.

That afternoon, several neighbors were at the farm helping with clean-up and to retrieve the equipment which included skid loaders, tractors and a car among other things.

As pretty as the snow is on the roofs of our homes and buildings, the fact is that it weighs a lot.

In fact, two feet of snow on the average sized roof can be the equivalent of 38,000 pounds or 19 tons according to an NBC News report.

Cleaning roofs can be dangerous. Just adding the weight of the person going up to shovel the snow off of a roof can trigger a collapse. A misstep can send you sliding off the roof.

According to a report on DIYLife.com by Cheryl Thompson posted in 2011, there are several warning signs that a roof is about to collapse including the obvious sign which is sagging. If you hear it creaking, cracking or popping, you should get out of the building as quickly as possible.

The article also suggested several ways to remove the snow from the roof yourself, one of which is to use a roof rake.

To use the rake, start from the edge and work your way into the roof using downward strokes. Try to scrape the snow along the bottom of the roof. Don’t go too far though, or you risk damaging the shingles.

The article warns that metal snow rakes conduct electricity if they come into contact with a power line. They also do not recommend using a ladder as the rungs can freeze and you can slip off.

The article also gives advice on how to prevent ice dams.

1. Get the snow off the roof before it can cause ice.

2. Add insulation to attic floors which will prevent heat from escaping which will prevent the formation of ice dams.

3. Clean your gutters bi-annually.

4. Keep your gutters and drains free of ice and snow. And you have to love this last one;

5. Use panty-hose. Fill the leg of a pair of panty-hose with chloride ice melter. Put the hose onto the roof so it overhangs the gutter. It will melt through the snow and ice and free up a channel for water to flow down into the gutters and off the roof!

If you are unable to clear the roof yourself, hire a professional.

This tractor was one of the several that was in the shed when the roof came crashing down. A rafter splintered and went through the cab causing extensive damage.

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