John Dirks Jr Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 We're expecting to get hit hard by snowfall here in central MD. I'm forming a strategy to get snow off the roof of my 24x36 pole building. It has metal roof and siding and it's completely un-insulated. My idea is to use my jet heater. It puts out a good amount of heat, most of which rises through the trusses to the roof panels. What do you think is a better plan? 1) Fire the heater up early in attempt to prevent snow from accumulating? 2) Wait for a significant amount to fall first, then fire the heater to initiate an avalanche of bulk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtblum Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Why don't you just wait and see if it happens? If it turns out to be the sensational storm they're predicting, you'll know what to do. Want some free TV advertising? When the storm hits and the news runs the strip of closings and cancellations at the bottom of the screen, be on it. We had a three day lake effect storm this week that's still not quite over. While watching the news, I noticed along with the usual school and church functions there were were business closings on the strip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 We're expecting to get hit hard by snowfall here in central MD. I'm forming a strategy to get snow off the roof of my 24x36 pole building. It has metal roof and siding and it's completely un-insulated. My idea is to use my jet heater. It puts out a good amount of heat, most of which rises through the trusses to the roof panels. What do you think is a better plan? 1) Fire the heater up early in attempt to prevent snow from accumulating? 2) Wait for a significant amount to fall first, then fire the heater to initiate an avalanche of bulk? Good Lord. Look out different window and have a glass of red wine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 We're expecting to get hit hard by snowfall here in central MD. I'm forming a strategy to get snow off the roof of my 24x36 pole building. It has metal roof and siding and it's completely un-insulated. My idea is to use my jet heater. It puts out a good amount of heat, most of which rises through the trusses to the roof panels. What do you think is a better plan? 1) Fire the heater up early in attempt to prevent snow from accumulating? 2) Wait for a significant amount to fall first, then fire the heater to initiate an avalanche of bulk? Good Lord. Look out different window and have a glass of red wine. I'll pass on the wine but I do have a 12 pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Sounds like a good idea. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlparham Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 We're expecting to get hit hard by snowfall here in central MD. I'm forming a strategy to get snow off the roof of my 24x36 pole building. It has metal roof and siding and it's completely un-insulated. My idea is to use my jet heater. It puts out a good amount of heat, most of which rises through the trusses to the roof panels. What do you think is a better plan? 1) Fire the heater up early in attempt to prevent snow from accumulating? 2) Wait for a significant amount to fall first, then fire the heater to initiate an avalanche of bulk? Good Lord. Look out different window and have a glass of red wine. I'll pass on the wine but I do have a 12 pack. If it was me contemplating your delema I would get more beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtblum Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 If it was me contemplating your delema I would get more beer. Yup! Here's how we do it. Everyone empties the grocery store shelves of milk and bread. Nobody really knows why. It's just what we do. Run with that if you want, but by all means get more beer! 12 pack? What are you going to do after lunch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Kienitz Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 We're expecting to get hit hard by snowfall here in central MD. I'm forming a strategy to get snow off the roof of my 24x36 pole building. It has metal roof and siding and it's completely un-insulated. My idea is to use my jet heater. It puts out a good amount of heat, most of which rises through the trusses to the roof panels. What do you think is a better plan? 1) Fire the heater up early in attempt to prevent snow from accumulating? 2) Wait for a significant amount to fall first, then fire the heater to initiate an avalanche of bulk? Good Lord. Look out different window and have a glass of red wine. I have a fresh bottle of Markers Mark ... I'm good!! I'm also South of the Mason-Dixon line so don't have a lot of snow. Albeit the rain/hail we experienced this morning is what is heading toward John D. now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Amaral Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Metal roof? it'll probably slide off on its own.. you have good cross-tie connections, yes? Pitch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Metal roof? it'll probably slide off on its own.. you have good cross-tie connections, yes? Pitch? Engineered truss with purlins 48" on center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 48 is a bit of a stretch, down here 24-36 is most folks' max. 26 ga or 29? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 48 is a bit of a stretch, down here 24-36 is most folks' max. 26 ga or 29? 29 I believe. The building is up to code standards for this area but obviously unusual circumstances can stress things. 12" and counting now. Wind picking up pretty good. I've been twice around with the snow blower and shovel. I just discovered that the Duluth Ballroom Jeans are worth every extra penny. Not until the end of the second round did they begin to start getting wet on the inside. My legs never got cold. Good material whatever its makeup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Amaral Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Repeat after me: "Get the Biggest, Strongest F'in Snow Blower you Can Possibly Afford" It can save your life brother.. Send us photos of your pole barn.. you are probably fine... After last year, I'm gonna put stock-car numbers/flames/STP stickers and Ed Roth "eyes' on my Ariens... it saved my life.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Almost done. Maybe 18" total so I'm not worried about structural failure. We have a little dog who likes to hang out next to the garage wall. With the smooth metal roof, the snow will slide off sooner or later on its own. I want to make it happen while I'm sure the dog is not sitting there. A stupid little bugger but I love him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Breslawski Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 When I was working for my dad, we packed cabbage inside all winter in western NY. The metal buildings with metal roofs would hold a lot of snow and when it finally gave way, it was like an avalanche. I recall one time walking between two of the buildings in what we called "the tunnel." This was probably a four foot wide space and it was sometimes used as a "second bathroom." 30 seconds after I stepped out of the tunnel we all heard a sliding noise and loud pounding on the ground. I looked outside to see 8-10 feet of packed snow in the tunnel. Long story short, stay away from roofs loaded with snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Sorrells Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Almost done. Maybe 18" total so I'm not worried about structural failure. We have a little dog who likes to hang out next to the garage wall. With the smooth metal roof, the snow will slide off sooner or later on its own. I want to make it happen while I'm sure the dog is not sitting there. A stupid little bugger but I love him. Wishfull thinking...6PM and 26 inches on the north side of Baltimore and still snowing. The trick with the metal roof is to start the movement of the snow and it will come off. Pitch determines how much effort it is to get started. Don't have a snow rake, try using a 4"-4x4 with rope tied to each end. Get the rope over the peak and then pull it down the other side. may take a couple of tries to get the snow moving. Building to area code is just about a max load design. There was a Baltimore awning manufacture that would start calling his major customers to let them know when the loads exceeded the design specifications, no mater what time it occurred (2am would leave a message).. Covering his but on material, installation failure when they started coming down. Seems like not many wanted to pay to beef up specifications to meet the fluke condition that may come along. In the end that is why you have Home Owner's Insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 22" total in Severna Park by my measurements. I got the roof cleared. It was a combination of the heater and a giant homemade hoe. 12' 2x4 with a 2'x1' piece of osb as the blade. That helped me reach up and pull the snow down. I don't think I ever had a structural concern but there's enough on the ground now that easily could have buried my small dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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