Officials Warn of Roof Collapse Danger

Public safety officials are urging residents to clear snow build up on their roofs after an unusually high number of building collapses this winter.

Officials say they received more than 70 reports of partial or full collapses in a 36-hour period last week, the majority of them in Eastern Massachusetts. The prolonged cold and punishing series of storms have been blamed for the spike.

Residents are urged to remove snow accumulations to reduce the risk of collapse, particularly on any flat or low-pitched roofs.

The town has offered the following tips:

Removing snow and ice from roofs and other areas

•  Use a snow rake for pitched roofs (available at most hardware stores) to remove snow from your roof.
• Start from the edge and work your way into the roof.
• Try to shave the snow down to a 2 or 3 inches on the roof instead of scraping the roof clean, which will risk damage to your shingles or other roof covering.
• Keep in mind that any metal tool could conduct electricity if it touches a power line.
• Also, metal tools will do more damage to your roof.
• Shovel snow from flat roofs throwing the snow over the side away from the building.
• Most plastic shovels are better, except for the ones with curved blades—those too will do some damage to your roof.
• Remove large icicles carefully if they're hanging over doorways and walkways.
• Consider knocking down icicles through windows using a broom stick.
• Wear protective headgear and goggles when performing any of these tasks.
• Consider hiring professionals to do the job. The combination of heights plus ice makes this one of the more dangerous house chores.
• If you don't hire professionals, at least have someone outside with you in case anything does go wrong
• Keep gutters, and drains clean, free of ice and snow and keep downspouts clean at ground level.

Removing snow and ice from roofs and other areas

• Unless approved by a registered professional engineer, don’t add your weight or the
• weight of equipment to the roof.
• Don’t use a ladder since ice tends to build up on both the rungs of the ladder and the
• soles of your boots.
• Don’t use electric heating devices like hair dryers or heat guns to remove snow and ice.
• Don’t use open-flame devices to remove snow and ice.
• According to Meteorologist Tony Petrarca, a cubic foot of dry snow weighs about seven
• pounds, while a cubic foot of wet snow weighs anywhere from 12 to 18 pounds. So, if
• its possible, hire someone to help with all of the snow clearing.

 Recognizing Problems with Roofs

• Sagging roofs
• Severe roof leaks
• Cracked or split wood members
• Bends or ripples in supports
• Cracks in walls or masonry
• Sheared off screws from steel frames
• Sprinkler heads that have dropped down below ceiling tiles
• Doors that pop open
• Doors or windows that are difficult to open
• Bowed utility pipes or conduit attached at ceiling
• Creaking, cracking or popping sounds

Other Safety Tips for Homeowners

• Make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
• Check your outside fuel and dryer exhaust vents, making sure that they are not obstructed by snow or ice. Never use cooking equipment intended for outside use indoors as a heat source or cooking device. Never use your oven for heat.
• Clear snow away from furnace and dryer exhaust vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Space heaters need space, so use them in a 3-foot circle of safety; free of anything that catch fire. Space heaters are not designed to replace your central heating system; they are only designed to provide a little extra heat on a temporary basis. So be sure to turn them off when you leave room or go to bed at night.
• Clear snow away from downspouts so water has a place to go.
• Do not be tempted to use a heat gun or open flame torch to melt the ice; the risk of
• starting a fire is huge.
• If you feel you are in immediate danger, get outside and call 9-1-1.

Source: “Public Safety Advisory On Potential Roof Collapses”