Repeated snowstorms in winter can cause many problems to house owners. In different ways, steel-metal buildings are best for all weather conditions, including heavy winters. But there are some limitations of metal buildings in frosty conditions.
Steel structures are designed in a way that they can handle heavy snow loads to extensive lead compared to the traditional wooden frame. But metal buildings also have a specific limit to bear the snow load without deformation.
Continuous snow accumulation could be a disaster for you. It is essential to clean snow from the top of the building to keep it safe and prevent issues like water leaks and structural collapse.
Snow Removal Techniques for Steel Building Roof
Here are a few practical tips to remove ice or snow from the building top. Considering these tips will reduce the complexity of the entire cleaning task.
Safety Precautions
Safety should be the first preference for the structure roof in the snow-cleaning task. It seems easy to perform snow removal tasks, but it consists of various risks. Metal roofs can hold heavy snow loads. But it can’t bear the pointed load. It is hazardous to stand on the top of the building during the snow cleaning task.
It is also crucial to make the workers aware of the entire task to get work done effectively. It can help you prevent accidents and keep the structure safe.
All safety gear should be used while performing the job for more protection. For removal of icicles, snow blowers and rakes can be used. All these tasks should be performed safely to avoid accidents and injuries.
Remove Icicles from the Eaves
Icicles are hazardous objects hanging from the eaves of the building. During cleaning tasks, icicles could be risky for workers standing beneath the roof eaves. Also, it can prevent ice from falling off the roof.
The best way to clean the roof is to remove the icicles first, then go for the snow on the top of the building. Long rakes can be used to remove icicles from the eaves.
Snow Cleaning Strategy
The process of snow cleaning must be planned effectively to prevent accidents. You can’t just start the cleaning procedure without any plan or strategy. For larger snow loads, an effective cleaning strategy can reduce the complexity of the task.
In order to clean the metal building roof, you should probably start from the drifts. Initially, these areas need to be cleaned. Later on, other parts of the top can be removed. In the case of the gabled building, snow should be removed from both sides of the roof simultaneously to prevent any unfamiliar situation.
Gradual Removal of Snow
Metal structure roofs are slightly different from conventional ones. Removing snow with significant differences on other parts of roofs can cause severe issues in the primary or secondary frame of the building. Clearing snow in a pattern would be the best idea to avoid collapse or deformation in the structure.
Partial or gradual snow removal is the best idea to clean the structure top efficiently. It won’t affect the building and roof components.
Move upward While Cleaning
As part of the cleaning task, snow removal should be performed in the upward direction. Initially, snow should be removed from the eaves of the building. Once snow or ice is cleared from the eaves, you can move to the center and ridge parts of the building.
If the snow on the edges of the structure is cleared, then snow will slide down the roof due to gravity and automatically get removed. It won’t take much effort to clean building’s roof.
Manage Snow Dumping
In the cleaning task, snow removed to form one part can’t be dumped on other parts of the building roof. It can create an imbalance on the structure and lead to disorientation or distortion into the metal frame. The load on the top should be equally divided to manage balance on the primary frame of the prefab steel facility.
Effective snow dumping can help you stay safe and keep the facility from snow stacking. Placing or leaving snow close to the metal structure can distort the side panels and metal building legs. Removed snow should be dumped far from people and facilities.
Use Right Tools
Tools considered in the snow removal process should be selected carefully. The use of sharp, pointy, and sturdy objects for cleaning tasks can severely damage paint, waterproofing coat, and roof panels.
Some other automatic processes can also remove snow from the building’s roof. Using plastic rakes rather than metal shovels will help you prevent any damage to the ceiling. Using hot water, the structure top can be easily cleaned. For example, a heating cable is also an effective solution to clean snow from the top of the building.
Be Careful Around the Ventilation Ducts and Sunroofs
The structure roof might consist of sunroofs or ventilation ducts, and you should be careful around these elements. Sunroofs are often made of glass, and certain impacts during cleaning can break them.
Ventilation ducts also need to be cleaned effectively to prevent any damage to them and avoid leakage in the duct pipes. All these areas must be cleaned with a light hand to avoid damage to the structure.
Snow Removal for Commercial Metal Buildings
Snow removal process for commercial metal buildings is a complex and time taking process. For frosty and snowy areas, custom metal buildings are the better solution. Especially vertical roof custom metal buildings.
Vertical roof types are considered highly efficient for removing snow load from the building top. Vertical panels and gravitation force work together to slide down the snow stacked on top of the roof. Structures like vertical roof style metal workshops are the best example of custom metal buildings designed for areas with more than average snowfall.
