Propper Roof Pitch For Snow

Others allow a 1 4 inch slope.

Propper roof pitch for snow.

The higher the roof pitch the more often the snow slides off. Metal roofs leak under these circumstances. Since the pitch of the roof is lower it can act as a catch all for tree limbs and other debris. Roof pitch is a measurement of a roof s slope expressed as a ratio.

However the larger factor is that when the sun comes out radiant heat passes through the snow is reflected outward melts the snow from underneath and causes it to slide. In snow country i want a 9 12 minimum and a 12 12 is preferable. The safest way to determine the pitch of an existing roof is to measure from inside your attic using a level tape measure and pencil. Care must be given so that debris does not collect and thus cause damage.

This will extend the life of your roof. Therefore attic space can be at a premium with a low pitch roof. The minimum roof pitch is also subject to the standards set forth by the various building codes used in the respective regions. If water does not properly run off of a roof it will begin to seep in causing rot interior damage and possibly dangerous black mold.

We use full ice and water shield protection in low pitch roofs 5 12 and under. If you are building a new roof however consider the climate to determine the correct pitch and proper materials. Even in these arid regions so called flat roofs are still installed with a slight pitch to keep water from pooling on top of the structure. The chief reason for having a roof pitch is to redirect water and snow away from the roof and avoid any percolation that might result from stagnation of water on the roof.

High pitch roof pros. Slopes greater than 6 12 will tend to shed snow regardless of the texture of the material on them so roof slopes should be configured to avoid shedding anywhere people might be walking or exiting. This has more to do with weather conditions than pitch. So in general the shallower pitch can be more dangerous with bigger slides.

Some metal building manufacturers will not warranty a roof with a 1 4 inch slope. Although there is no single standard roof pitch used on all sloped roofs factors such as roofing materials and local climate help to determine the appropriate range of pitches for a given building. The ratio between width and height is much smaller with a low pitch roof. Cheaper by far than a full roof of ice and water shield and that goes back to my comments about roof pitch.

The purpose of pitching a roof is to enable water and snow to run off so the greater the amount of rain and or snow an area receives the greater the amount of pitch needed for the roof. A 1 4 inch slope may work in alabama but one can expect leaks in minnesota or. When the snow piled up on the roof melting occurred and ice dams resulted in water ponding 3 inches deep.