Snow On Flat Roof

[bruceb58]

My GF just bought a house in our local mountains and it has an almost flat roof. Previous owner has heater wires on it to melt the snow but not sure how he would have them turned on when there is snow on the roof. Any of you guys that live in snow areas have a sensor that you use that automatically turns the heater wires on when snow falls and the temperature is low enough? We will only be up there a couple times a month so we won't be around to manually turn them on.

Found this one:
http://www.morelectricheating.com/default.aspx?page=item detail&itemcode=ETI10006
http://www.thermon.com/catalog/us_pdf_files/PN21223.pdf

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

Should it not have been built to take the snow load?
Any building inspectors in the area?

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

how about one of thesehttp://www.apogeekits.com/remote_control_via_telephone.htm

Or something similar to it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

Should it not have been built to take the snow load?
Any building inspectors in the area?

Was built in the 50s. Not sure what their thinking was back then.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

how about one of thesehttp://www.apogeekits.com/remote_control_via_telephone.htm

Or something similar to it.

Not going to have a telephone there. Was thinking of a web controlled switch as well but that would still requiring knowing what the conditions are at all times. I was at one time thinking having a webcam looking at the roof and then using the web switch to turn on the heater wires. Would much prefer something automatic.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

How about http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Heat-RS-2-Automatic-Control/dp/B000BMABZG/ref=pd_bxgy_ol_text_c

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

How about http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Heat-RS-2-Automatic-Control/dp/B000BMABZG/ref=pd_bxgy_ol_text_c

I saw that one last night but reviews weren't that great. Have you used it?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

pay a neighbor to keep an eye on it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

No I have quite a steep roof however, I have used the heat tapes with a thermostat for a few pipes in my basement

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

pay a neighbor to keep an eye on it.

That is another option.

Apparently the previous owner left it plugged in a lot of the time so his electric bill was quite high.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

How much roof are we talking about? Can you place another set of beams , plywood and roofing materials over the top with some pitch?

How much snow? What type and direction of exposure?

Even shallow roofs here in VT (we get some snow on occasion ) seem to hold up but most flatter ones are standing seam metal roofs and snow rarely stays on them.

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

How about something like this? http://www.allwarm.com/roof-and-gutter-snow-melting.htm

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

Was built in the 50s. Not sure what their thinking was back then.

If that is the original roof, then I would have to think that no heaters are needed.
Period.
I doubt there were snow melting heaters on it from way back then till now.

Might be easier to add some inside bracing for the winter season that can be knocked out in a few minutes.

 

[rbh]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

Bruce, have you stuck your head up in the attic yet (probably not much of one, but should have an inspection hatch)
If it has lasted since the 1950s I bet the trusses are pretty good.
I would be worried about melting the snow and having ice dams forming, which can lean towards flooding or worse ice jacking (water gets in an area then refreezes splitting it apart)

Defenetly need to inspect the roof drains and clean if required.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

If that is the original roof, then I would have to think that no heaters are needed.
Period.
I doubt there were snow melting heaters on it from way back then till now.

I was thinking the same thing unless they relied on human intervention everytime it snowed. This is in Big Bear CA so its not like they get a ton of snow but they can get the occasional 2 foot storm. If you got two days of those in a row, that would be a lot of weight.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

Defenetly need to inspect the roof drains and clean if required.

I am going to see this house for the very first(other than photos) time this weekend. Our number one job was already to make sure the gutters were clean.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

I spent the winter of 68/69 in Big Bear. Way more than 2' of snow and the power was knocked out for some time. Surprised there are any flat roofs there, they often leak, even in the desert. Have fun up there.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

It has a pitch to it...just not much. I will be seeing it for the first time this weekend.

 

[DJ]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

Was built in the 50s. Not sure what their thinking was back then.

A lot better than today. If it's been there that long then it's seen better snows than just what happened.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Snow On Flat Roof

All kinds of thermal switches out there, most have a range of on at 35 and off at 45 for this kind of stuff. Just have to put the sensor in the right place. Check Grainger.