It snows in Minnesota. A lot. And while all that white fluff makes for a veritable winter wonderland, it can add unnecessary stress to your roof – especially if you have a commercial flat roof.
So What Happens When It Snows On The Roof? Let discuss this topic in detail. Snow is deceptively heavy. Fresh snow can add up to 20 pounds of weight per cubic foot.
If there are thaw-freeze cycles, however, it might weigh as much as 60 pounds per cubic foot. While most commercial roofs are built to withstand the weighty punishment of winter, you should be attentive to the condition of your roof.
If you hear popping noises, see bent metal supports, cracked wooden supports, or any other deformities, you should contact your commercial roofing contractor immediately.
Thermal shock is another potential issue. When daytime temperatures warm the roof before dipping back below freezing at night, the roof membrane could snap like a rubber band.
This is especially common on older roofs. Make sure you have regular roof inspections from a professional roofing company in order to minimize any risks you might be carrying above your head.
An inspector can find hard-to-detect defects in flashing, drains, seams, downspouts, tie-ins, and other places where snow drifts can accumulate. If water seeps into any of these places, it can freeze and thaw, causing cracks that then lead to leaks inside your building.
Let us help. All American Restoration offers free online estimates. Our team of professionals knows Minnesota and all the myriad issues that our capricious climate dishes out to us. We work to get it right.
As one of the top Minneapolis Roofers, All American Restoration was honored when we received the Torch Awards for Ethics award for 2013-2014 from the Better Business Bureau.
We are also members of the National Roofing Contractors Association and are certified Master Elite Roofing Contractors by GAF.