Snow and Ice on Flat Roof - Help! (water heater, toilet, damage)

[Elke Mariotti]

We've had an unusually heavy snowfall period mixed with some rain and ice and below freezing temps.
With frequent reports of flat roofs collapsing, I'm getting concerned.

Because of the heavy snowfalls, there is no access from the ground, only via two windows.

Any suggestions to hasten the thawing?? We have a few days of above freezing temps with rain before we go into the deep freeze again.

[AngelBy]

Check it here, hope it helps

I Hope That You Like Snow.

[fallingwater]

There are companies that will come out and remove the snow from a roof.

[Elke Mariotti]

Thanks, but these snow rakes won't work. There is no access from the ground plus they're designed to "pull" down the snow. I would need something designed to (carefully) "push", without damaging the newly replaced gutters, which of course right now are full of ice .

Any thoughts on using a hairdryer? I know it sounds silly, but can't come up with any other ideas.

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by fallingwater

There are companies that will come out and remove the snow from a roof.

Snow is too deep right now not only to get to the roof from the side, but standing on top would seem suicidal

[AngelBy]

This weekend it will be up to 50-55oF and on Friday, it rains a lot ... hope this will melt & wash all the snow/ice.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Depending on the composition of the roof, you could use snow-melt. But removal of most snow and ice by shovel first, then snow-melt for the rest.

Some people; when doable, hook a garden hose to the water heater and spray the roof to melt snow and ice.

[harry chickpea]

Calcium chloride "bombs." Wrap a handful in tissue paper/kleenex/toilet paper and lob it onto the roof. Repeat, aiming at other areas. It is amazing the amount of heat they generate when in contact with water. I'd be leery of adding hot water, simply because of the added weight until runoff channels were created. If there is access to an attic, heating that space could help. Other than that - boom truck to get up there.

[QIS]

Do not put chemicals on your roof. If you know for sure the snow is NOT going to melt soon, and you are not able to do the work yourself, then you must get some help. The snow removal process is difficult and time consuming for sure,but, it can be done. You don't have to get all the snow off( down to the roof surface or gutters) to make a difference in the weight load~~leave the last 6 inches for instance and make sure they don't harm the gutters. Snow removal people are busy all over your area as you know. You are wise to consider doing this if you have a deep accumulation with no relief in sight.

[harry chickpea]

Roof issues are primarily caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and secondarily from people traipsing all over the roof creating footfall pressure points that break the membrane and thirdly from underlying structural shifting. Calcium chloride will do far less damage than a doofus with a shovel.