A properly designed, built-to-code residential roof in Connecticut should not collapse, even under extreme winter conditions.
“You design to a worst-case analysis,” says Barry LePatner, co-author of “Structural and Foundation Failures” and a New York City construction attorney. “If you follow those, you should not have a collapse unless there’s an extraordinary circumstance.”
There is a way, however, to determine if the threat of collapse is so great that the roof should be cleared either by a roofing specialist or the resident daredevil.
Do the math.
Yes, The Bottom Line will entertain and inform this morning with a little winter edition number-crunching that should inspire confidence in the steep-sloped roof covering the main body of your house but fear for the long-term survival of flatter-pitched sunrooms, porches and additions.
In an article that appeared in The Hartford Courant, writer Kevin Hunt wondered how much snow it would take to cause a roof to collapse. Typically, residential roofs in Connecticut are designed to withstand extreme winter conditions, and only an especially powerful storm can result in an unforeseen event. Doing some arithmetic is important for homeowners to figure out if their roofs are susceptible to collapse, adding that typical roofs can carry snow loads of at least 30 pounds per square foot.
Locals from neighboring states like New Hampshire can definitely relate to the article as they too experience blizzards, snowstorms, and hailstorms on a regular basis. While the main idea of Hunt’s article is somewhat reassuring (that roofs can withstand heavy snow loads), people must bear in mind that the Farmer’s Almanac recently reported that a brutal winter is expected this year. This means that it’s possible that conditions may be much worse than what most people are ready for, putting homes at risk. Homeowners can therefore consider having their roofs replaced with a more durable option courtesy of metal roofing companies in Dover, NH.
With such heavy storms coming, residents can’t assume their roofs will hold up as well as it has this upcoming winter; when a roof caves in, it results in expensive repair costs and can put lives at risk. Metal roofing for Dover, NH homes is a smart choice since this type offers better protection from strong winds and other harsh weather conditions, and enlisting the services of trusted companies like Performance Roofing, Inc. can help put troubled minds at ease.
I have 20+ years experience in the roofing industry. Throughout that time I have worked with numerous amounts of clients on the design, decision making, and pricing involved in their projects. I also help oversee all day to day operations. Throughout our time in business we have gone through many changes but one thing that will never change is our devotion to customer satisfaction. One of our top sources for referrals is word of mouth from our previous customers. That alone says a lot about the quality of the service our customers receive.
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