The new National Snow Guards Safety Month in March highlights the importance of snow guard usage for property owners living in areas with snowfall, along with educating roofing contractors on the safest ways to install snow guards. Created by Rocky Mountain Snow Guards, Inc., a leader in the snow retention industry, the monthlong awareness campaign will be held every March, starting in 2025.
“Safety and education are two areas we intend to shine a spotlight on during National Snow Guards Safety Month,” says Lars Walberg, president of Rocky Mountain Snow Guards out of Englewood, Co. “The proper installation of a snow guard system can help save lives and prevent property damage.”
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, five people have lost their lives in roof avalanches in Colorado in the last 30 years. There have also been many more injuries and close calls. The last roof avalanche fatality in Colorado occurred on March 16, 2023, when two children and a father were buried in a slide. Tragically one child died.
In a joint statement from the National Avalanche Center and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center in support of National Snow Guards Safety Month, leadership relates, “Roof avalanches pose a serious risk every year in mountain communities. It’s critical to stay aware of snow-loaded roofs, minimize time spent beneath them, and keep a shovel nearby in case of an emergency.”
Expert Safety Support
Snow guards, which are usually installed on rooftops in specific patterns to help prevent snow from avalanching down in a “snow blanket” as the snow melts, can be made of plastic, metal, copper, aluminum or even rubber. They can be attached at the time a roof is installed or retrofitted years after the roof is in place.
According to the experts at Rocky Mountain Snow Guards, density of and placement of a snow retention system is determined by the snow load anticipated per unit of roof, which is determined by several factors. The roof slope, roofing product, roof snow load, drift snow loads and potential exposure (over walks, driveways, decks, etc.) all influence the snow retention plans.
“The free layout and quote service we provide takes individual roof specifications and provides the perfect layout for a snow retention system,” says Walberg. “It’s customized specifically for each roof, taking into account the snow load for a region, pitch of the roof, roofing materials involved and other factors. This allows us to create a layout resulting in a safe snow retention system.”
Walberg explains that plans are available for both residential and commercial properties. “Snow guard systems are just as important for commercial properties where you have workers and visitors near a structure continually,” says Walberg. “In many cases a snow retention system may be an insurance requirement for a commercial building.”
7 Tips for Safely Installing Snow Guards
Since 2010, Rocky Mountain Snow Guards has designed and sold tens of thousands of snow retention systems. With their combined expertise, leaders at the company recommend these practices for roofing contractors to safely install snow guards:
Tip #1 – Make sure the roof surface is snow-, water- and frost-free. Wet roofs are slippery roofs. This also means snow retention systems should not be installed during or immediately following a snowstorm. Roofers should not work on snowy, frosty or wet roofs.
Tip #2 – Always, always tie off the ladder at the eave and make sure the base of the ladder is secure. Never set a ladder so there’s just a foot or so above the eave edge. The ladder should be positioned high enough above the eave to allow enough space to get on and off it as safely as possible.
Tip #3 – Follow all standard roof safety procedures. Don’t take shortcuts. Use tie-offs and other safety equipment.
Tip #4 – Mark the locations for snow guard placement on the roof before beginning installation. This can speed up the installation, keep you focused and eliminate a sloppy placement appearance.
Tip #5 – Oftentimes snow guards are required to be installed within three feet of the eave. Depending on the property, it may be safer to work off a ladder or lift versus being on the roof for the installation.
Tip #6 – For retrofit installation, put the snow guard in place, then tap the Woodbinder® screw into the strap on a Yeti or SnowTrapper (or any other snow guard with a strap that isn’t pre-drilled) with a hammer or mallet prior to drilling. This keeps the Woodbinder screw stable during the actual drilling.
Tip #7 – Always follow the snow guard manufacturer’s suggested layout. Many roofers assume they know the best pattern for snow guards. However, often what they know is different than the tested and proven layouts that the manufacturers recommend.
Additional snow guard information and installation videos are available on the Rocky Mountain Snow Guards website.
Rocky Mountain Snow Guards
Rocky Mountain Snow Guards, Inc. manufactures snow guards and fence-style snow retention systems designed to protect people and property. The company provides free shipping of products to the 48 contiguous United States and offers free layouts and quotes for product placement. Metal products are warrantied for 50 years. Proud Corporate Partner of Freedom Service Dogs and founder of National Snow Guards Safety Month. For details visit www.rockymountainsnowguards.com or call 1-877-414-7606.
