Edmonton Roof Ice Dams - General Roofing Systems has been inundated with calls this year to clear snow off roofs to prevent ice damming and roof cave-ins, said Curtis Johnson, the company’s western regional project manager. “It’s been the second most busy year that we can recall,” Johnson said. The busiest year was 2010-11, when snow buildup caused a series of roof cave-ins, including at the Northgate Lions Seniors Recreation Centre in Edmonton where a seniors’ choir was rehearsing. Most at risk of collapse are large, flat roofs and metal roofs, such as those on agricultural and commercial buildings, Johnson said. “A lot of people think because the melt is on that they’re out of the woods, but the reality is it gets heavier as the melt happens,” Johnson said. “In Alberta this year, we’ve seen five or six significant collapses. More than that, what the ice is doing is destroying roofs. For close to three weeks, our guys have been working around the clock. (Friday) night was actually one of the worst nights for ice-damming calls through the night, where the ice dams just literally open up flat roof membranes.” In Drayton Valley, another area Johnson said has been particularly bad this year, part of the curling rink roof collapsed early Friday afternoon. Investigators are still working to determine what caused the cave in. Snow buildup coupled with freezing and thawing causes ice to build up on roofs, leading to a “glacier effect” that can damage the roof and cause flooding, Johnson said. The situation will get worse if we get more snow, he added. Residents should keep roofs and gutters clear of ice and snow to protect their homes from damage that can cost tens of thousands of dollars, Johnson said. edmontonjournal/Freeze+thaw+cycles+causes+problems+Edmonton+drivers+homeowners/9430832/story.html
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 01:00:46 +0000
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