• Saturday-What'sUP January 31 - 01:48 pm

Bob Gilreath has the right idea when it comes to the snow piling up on his roof and the perfect way to get it cleaned off in preparation for the next barrage. Send the kids up there!! Maybe give them guidance from down below, with a few instructions on the intricacies of shoveling off a roof. If you choose to do the latter, be sure you stand enough distance away, so you don't end up under the chunks of snow that come tumbling down all around the perimeter of the house. That's my favorite part of the roof clearing job - snowblowing the snow from the path around the abode. I prefer to have my feet firmly planted on the ground, thank you!

Good morning from the land of the Trolls

Toivo,

Are there businesses that actually remove snow from roofs? I could not imagine getting up there and tackling that job.

Love the pictures of the snow, but I hope I never have to shovel again. I left the Detroit area many years ago. I've only seen snow up close and personal one other time after that.

Is it really necessary to shovel a roof? Don't construction methods on 99.9% of all houses make it unnecessary to shovel a roof? Just wondering...

Necessary or not though, its still fun. Especially jumping off afterwards !

Noquemanon day today - Now the LARGEST cross country ski race in Michigan !! www.noquemanon.com - wish I was there ...

JK

What about the new steel roofs? Do they require shoveling? Wouldn't it be impossible to stand on them without sliding off?

Boy, oh boy, does that snow bring back the ole memories.

I guess 60 degrees in North Florida isn't so bad afterall!

Toivo,
The snow up against the house is actually a very good insulator and helps with feeping the basement warmer for a while. Jeff k has the right idea, jumping off into the snow pile WAS the very best part!

Good Morning!

I don't think most folks realize just how heavy snow can be. Those softly falling fluffy flakes can't be THAT heavy, right? But, they are. Also, the amount of 'glacial' ice that can form on the roof under 15-20inches of snow come Spring thaw, can pose a water leakage problem. Not good.

;) And of course, there's the bonus of all that extra snow for the kids to play and tunnel into!!

Good morning from Mishawaka IN. That sure looks like alot of work. What about the third story main roof? Do they do that one too? Whew - I just got dizzy thinking about climbing up there. I guess thats one reason to have kids. Just kidding. I've had 4 and I still shovel my own sidewalk.

Morning,
I spent 5 hours last weekend shoveling the roof. Good exercise and yes jumping off when done is the best part. Have a great day!

From yesterdays post, Raven/Downstate said that she liked to watch storms come in over Lake Superior. I wish I had a scanner because I have an awesome pic from when I was up in Grand Marais a few summers ago. I had taken my niece and her friend there for the day to hunt agates on the beach and climb the dunes. After we had a beautiful day there, we went back into town and I drove out to the point of the harbor as a storm was coming in from the west -- the contrasts in the picture are awesome! The Big Lake turned turquoise blue -- with the dark sky and white sand along with the green beach grass -- add in a small sailboat out in the water. It was just a quick squall and I'm sure the sailboat fared well -- but the picture left behind is one I'll always treasure!

The weight of the snow will cause many problems if not removed.

Especially if we get warm and it rains then refreezes as it has this year. The Roof was many layers, which actually made it easier to remove cut into blocks.

NKR, our main roof has a steep enough pitch and a metal roof, so no need to shovel it. It unloads all by itself, and can be quite the experience for someone staying over night and hearing it unload at 3 am! ;-)

Most of the time the powder just slides off, but on heavy storms it will build up a bit before sliding. Great sound as it unloads. ;-)

Yes, my job is the snowblower at the bottom. ;-)

By the way Toivo, thats one KID and one WIFE
up there clearing it off.

;-)

Toivo sez -- Now that's my kind of woman, too bad she's married, Bob!

Metal roof is the ONLY way to go in snow country! I
converted from shingles (shudder!) to metal roof over the
years and it is better by far. The snow tends to slide off
by itself depending on how steep the roof is. Even on a
low pitch roof when it warms up a little you hear a
grinding sound and the entire roof iceberg slides off. No
worry about ice dams and leaks. No chopping ice and
breaking shingles. No climbing up on icy roofs and
falling. I would never go back to shingles.

NEVER!

Ok, so what's the hot ticket for footwear for
rooftop snow clearing? Some kind of cleats or
traction devices that won't damage the roof
while providing secure footing?

One thing to consider with a metal roof is where that snow will land when it leaves the roof. On my parents house, it could be dangerous for people coming and going. They end up cleaning more often than when they had their tab roof because they are concerned about it coming down at the wrong time.

Thanks for your post Herb!

I've been trying to convince my husband that a metal roof is the way to go. Maybe your post will 'push him over the edge' so to speak!

Actually, shoveling the roof looks like fun to me, but the stepping from the ladder to the roof & vice versa is always the problem!

God bless and protect our troops as they stand guard for freedom during the Iraqi elections this weekend. And may He also protect those like Sgt Nate in Afganistan & other parts of the world. Thank you for your service to America.

Margy/Allen Park...what I wouldn't give to have a copy of that photo. Sounds lucious. Would love to paint it!

Lyle....so does "47" in TX...Beautiful to look at though.

Hope all are having a great weekend!

Hey, my roof looks like that today! Actually, it's freezing rain and sleet on it, none of the pretty stuff (snow).

I wish I had some of that snow banked around our house. No basements here and the floors are cold in this weather.The Chatt area is pretty well ice covered. The blueberry bushes in the backyard look beautiful!! The weight of the ice on our Magnolia out front broke a large branch and it fell on our mailbox. I sure hope we don't lose power.

ME they make a "braking device" to slow down the snow pack as it falls off. You could see one on the roof at the rest area outside of Seney or maybe the Web. Ask you supplier.

sandy the other day i just said thanks in the irish as i cannot read finn i remain walter

I have 3 roofs done.3 more to do. Only fell off one today.I fall of the same roof every year. Shovel handle's too short.
Jeff in Eugene...The deep snow is what keeps you from sliding off the roof. Start at the peak and work your way to the eaves. Happy shoveling!

troll in eagle harbor

Be careful shoveling that snow, we need you back this summer.

I still have visions of my (arthritic!) dad when he was 80-85 years old still climbing up on the roof to shovel - I couldn't bear to watch!! Made me a nervous wreck, but of course, there was no stopping him.