Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Best Snow thrower or Electric shovel for doing a Roof
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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Steve_Cebu
 
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Best Snow thrower or Electric shovel for doing a Roof
Reply #45 Feb 4, 2011 9:33 am |
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 LOL - just remembered the scene from Grumpy Old Men where they shoot water from a garden hose onto the snowy roof over an entryway, so that it forms a sheet of ice under the snow thus causing an avalanche for the unwitting homeowner who steps out the door (with slamming of said door causing the avalanche). If you could shoot some water up along the peak of the roof, maybe you could create a similar avalanche situation... p.s. - saw the Avalanche AVA300 roof snow removal system (sounds like it is easier/better than a roof rake), maybe you could stand on a tall stepladder strapped in the back of your pickup and reach some of the roof with that system...
I don't have a pickup truck.  Still I think that shooting water onto a roof that has 3 feet of snow would take some time and with temps at nigt going to -7F it's going to freeze pretty quickly. Last year during the snow melt, very warm very quickly, it overloaded the septic tank because all the runoff from the driveway goes into it.
I'll try and snap some pics to show how bad it is up there. If it was just a foot that would be ok. For the lower roof and garage I can easily walk on those, the upper roof not a chance, you need a tall ladder and you'd have crap stability on the snow in the driveway.
"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England." "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Best Snow thrower or Electric shovel for doing a Roof
Reply #49 Feb 4, 2011 10:31 am |
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If it was easy and safe, you would done it already, right?
Consider the people who offer that service, risking their life and limb, sometimes that's the only opportunity for them to make good money.
Granted but it still adds up to a lot of money. Most of the real pros not just guys who will shovel the roofs actually know what they are doing and have insurance etc...
Sadly a lot of these guys rely on YOUR insurance if they get hurt. I won't hire them it's too risky.
"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England." "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Best Snow thrower or Electric shovel for doing a Roof
Reply #50 Feb 4, 2011 10:36 am |
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Steve:
Have you thought of temporary internal roof supports?
It sounds like the house has rafters and ridge poles rather than standard truss'. If it does, you could make yourself some long posts out of 4x4 lumber. You could use a piece of plywood as a protective base for the floor then haul in some long 4x4s to prop up the the ridge pole(s). Twenty feet is an awful long piece of lumber though. You might have to laminate some lumber to build that kind of length. Even a couple 16' 2x8 planks with an 8' 2x8 screwed in between half way down would work. That way you could build it (them) inside to the exact length you need. If you distribute some of the load directly to the floor, that will relieve some of the load from the walls. You will probably also need a small hydraulic jack to raise the posts to put some of the load on the floor. If possible, the load going to the floor should be supported by a wall or post in the basement.
Not pretty stuff, I'm sure, but for the money, it could possibly avert a disaster.
No I haven't heard of that, nor would I, that type of thing is way out of my league. The guy who did the roof would know about that and it sounds like it might work but would cost as much as clearing the roof. The ceiling is just under 24 feet high 23.? feet. I'm actively trying to get a guy to clear the roof but nothing available for a week, so far. I'm less worried about the garage than the living room. I'll try and gets some pics this afternoon. I've just been very busy today.
I do appreciate the advice 
This message was modified Feb 4, 2011 by Steve_Cebu
"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England." "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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