2023-12-05 13:09:00
Wet snow in particular can put a lot of strain on roofs. Homeowners have a duty of care: They must ensure that snow is removed from their roof if the load becomes too great or there is a risk that falling slabs of snow might cause damage. The condition of the roof must be checked regularly.
According to the Austrian standard, roofs in the central area must be designed for a load of around 100 kilos per square meter and in southern Upper Austria for around 200 kilos per square meter.
However, you shouldn’t necessarily give in to the impulse to take matters into your own hands, say experts. They recommend hiring professionals for this task – or at least securing yourself with a rope or belt. But you shouldn’t do this alone.
Shoveling private house roofs is not the job of the fire department. It helps when danger is imminent, i.e. when the snow load, for example, endangers the statics of the house to such an extent that a collapse must be expected.
Be careful with PV systems
For all those who have installed a PV system on the roof, the situation is particularly bitter: on the one hand, the pressure is putting a strain on the panels, but on the other hand, under the blanket of snow, they obviously do not perform as well as desired or, in the worst case, do not perform at all. However, owners should refrain from uncovering with a shovel – in addition to the risk of falling, there is also the risk of scratching the panels.
1701784910
#Snow #load #roofs
