No sudden exits: Controlling snow with the right retention

By Dani Sheehan.

Help your customers understand the importance of snow retention systems to keep their family and their property safe all winter long.

We all know the saying, “What goes up must come down.” But when it comes to the snow on a roof, coming down too fast can be more destructive than staying put. You’ve likely seen the aftermath – damaged gutters, torn-off HVAC units and sometimes serious safety hazards for people beneath the roof. Educating your customers on the importance of proper snow retention can prevent these costly and dangerous issues.  

In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth spoke with David Stahler, director of sales at S-5!®, about how contractors can help building owners and homeowners mitigate these risks with the right snow retention system.  

The bouncer at the snow party

Think of a snow retention system as a bouncer at a crowded party. As David put it, “Instead of controlling who comes in, it controls what goes out. So, it won’t let any snow leave the roof in a catastrophic fashion. A snow guard is deliberately designed to keep snow from sliding off a roof all at once, which could result in some chaotic rooftop avalanche and cause damage. Instead, it lets the snow leave in a common, orderly fashion, through thawing, evaporation and melting.”

Without a system in place, snow can build up unpredictably, creating hazardous situations. David explained, “When snow piles up on a roof, it makes two deals. First, it shakes hands with the roof through a strong, but finicky bond called a temperature sensitive adhesive bond – meaning it sticks to the roof. This is like somebody taking their tongue and sticking it to a pole in the wintertime.” This bond can suddenly release when temperatures rise, like pouring water on the tongue, which can cause a sudden and dangerous snow slide.  

The second deal the snow makes is a weaker, cohesive bond at the ridge of the roof – the snow's last attempt to defy gravity. “As sunlight warms the roof or the building heats up from the inside, that strong initial bond starts breaking down. Meltwater creates a slick surface, reducing friction. At that point, all that’s left holding the snow is the cohesive bond at the ridge,” David said. “But once the force of gravity exceeds that bond’s strength, the entire load can come crashing down,” just like an avalanche barreling down a mountainside.

Helping your customers understand these dynamics can be key to selling effective snow retention solutions. With S-5!’s engineered snow retention systems, you have access to innovative, reliable products designed to help your customers manage snow loads safely and efficiently.

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast for an in-depth discussion on best practices and product recommendations for keeping snow safely on top of the roof.