Heavy Snowfall Calls for Snow Retention

By Cayden Wemple. 

Listen to industry expert Mindy Dalquist give her insight about snow retention systems on a new episode of Roofing Road Trips. 

A snow retention system is vital to controlling the snow that lands on a roof. A snow retention system is also imperative for safety and for keeping your roof unscathed during the winter. On a new episode of Roofing Road Trips, host Heidi J. Ellsworth, sat down with Mindy Dahlquist of TRA Snow & Sun to talk more about the importance of snow retention.  

The number-one reason for having a snow retention system is the safety impact that they have. Not having one would be a safety hazard especially for children. “I believe it was last month, there were two nine-year-olds, one in Utah and one in Idaho that were both hit by snow coming off of the roof,” Mindy recalls. “Luckily it was not a fatality or anything like that, but that definitely does occur. So, safety is going to be the number-one reason that snow retention should be considered.” 

It is also important to have a snow retention system to avoid damages to the roof. “You'll see oftentimes on standing C-metal panels, the seams will just be folded over completely from the snow once it does move. It can actually rip those panels right off of the roof or just crinkle them, basically making them look like they were tinfoil in the beginning. And that's just not how you want your gorgeous roof panels to look,” Mindy said.  

Snow can also wreak havoc on anything sitting below the roof. “Oftentimes metal roofs will be on things like big garages or shops, and they'll have all of this really expensive equipment and assets surrounding their building and say, ‘Oh, we're fine with the snow shedding,’ explained Mindy. “Well, that's great until it hits some of your equipment and now you have to deal with insurance.” 

Listen to the entire conversation to learn more about the importance of snow retention systems.