Strategies for Managing Snow and Ice
Midwest winter weather is challenging – rain, cold, snow, wind, and ice are all contributors to building stress. Snow fall can be heavy and temperatures average around 20 degrees. So how do we make sure buildings get thru the winter unscathed? Here are our strategies for managing snow and ice.
- One crucial step is to design roof structures to carry the heavy load of snow and ice that comes with our winters.
- We also want to prevent ice dams and icicles from forming at the eaves of pitched roofs. Here’s how they happen:
- snow melts when heat escapes the roof
- melted snow runs down the roof to the eaves
- melted snow freezes at the edges of the roof over the unheated eaves
- To prevent ice dams, we specify roof insulation to minimize interior heat loss through the roof and install membranes on the unheated area.
- Roof drainage is crucial to minimizing damage from standing water or ice and we typically design interior drains into our projects to facilitate roof drainage. Warm interior temperatures keep the drainage pipe from freezing so the water can be carried away before it solidifies.
- When specifying gutters and downspouts on buildings with steeply pitched roofs, we call for roof ice breakers. They are especially effective over building entrances where ice and snow can fall on pedestrians.
- Roof and wall flashing serve as a necessary barrier to moisture and redirect water away from the building. The flashing should project at least ½” from vertical wall surfaces and a full 12” under the siding or roofing.
Give us a call at 847-247-0303 for advice on specific installation details for your unique situation and for strategies for managing snow and ice.
