If you own or manage a commercial building with a flat roof, dealing with snow accumulation is a challenge you can’t ignore, especially when we talk about WNY, where snowfall is almost a daily occurrence in the winter.
Snow doesn’t just disappear after a storm; it lingers, melts, refreezes, and can wreak havoc on your roof if not handled properly. In our previous blog post, we told you that a flat roof can hold about 20 pounds per cubic meter of snow. So what should you do when the snowfall remains heavy?
One solution is to use flat roof snow melt systems. These systems are designed to effectively tackle snow and ice buildup, preventing costly damage and ensuring your building stays safe and functional.
If you are thinking about installing one of these systems but aren’t sure which one or how to do so, you are in the right place. Keep reading to learn everything about flat roof snow melt systems.
The Problem: Why Snow on Flat Roofs Is a Big Deal
Flat roofs aren’t entirely flat—they’re slightly sloped for drainage. But when snow piles up during winter, the weight can strain the roof structure. If it melts and refreezes, you’ve got another problem: ice dams. Ice dams form when melting snow refreezes at the edges of your roof, trapping water behind them. That water can seep into your building, causing leaks, mold, and even structural damage.
For a commercial property, this kind of damage is not just inconvenient—it’s expensive. Repairs, downtime, and potential liability issues can quickly snowball into major headaches. That’s why proactive measures like snow melt systems are so valuable.
The Solution: Flat Roof Snow Melt Systems
Simply put, snow melt systems are heating solutions integrated into flat roofs. Their main job is to melt snow and ice before they can cause problems. These systems usually include a variety of technologies and approaches designed to prevent snow accumulation and reduce the potential for structural stress. From electric heating elements to hydronic heating circuits, snow melt systems offer building owners multiple options for managing winter precipitation and protecting their roofing investment. They typically have three main components:
- Heating Elements: These are electric cables or hydronic (fluid-based) heating tubes installed on or beneath your roof surface.
- Control Systems: Advanced thermostats and sensors that detect temperature, moisture, and snow presence to activate the heating elements when needed.
- Drainage Assistance: Proper drainage ensures that melted snow flows safely off the roof instead of pooling.
Think of it as a safety net for your roof, automatically keeping snow and ice in check.
Benefits Of Snow Melt Systems For Flat Roofs
Investing in a snow melt system might feel like a big decision, but the benefits are hard to ignore, especially if you live in an area prone to heavy snowfall every year. Here are some of the benefits.
Structural Safety:
Keeps your roof safe from excessive weight and potential collapse. By preventing snow accumulation, these systems eliminate the risk of catastrophic roof failures that can result in extremely expensive damage and potential injury to personnel.
Leak Prevention:
Snow melt systems stop ice dams and water seepage before they start. As snow and ice melt consistently and efficiently, you protect your building’s interior from water damage, mold growth, and the costly repairs associated with prolonged moisture exposure.
Longevity:
Extends your roof’s lifespan by reducing wear and tear from freeze-thaw cycles. Constant freezing and thawing can cause significant material degradation, but a snow melt system helps maintain the roof’s structural integrity and prevents premature aging.
Convenience:
No need to send crews up to shovel snow manually (which can be dangerous and expensive). This eliminates the risks associated with manual snow removal, such as worker injuries, potential damage to roofing materials, and the significant labor costs of winter maintenance.
Energy Efficiency:
Modern systems are designed to use energy only when needed, keeping costs manageable. Advanced sensors and smart controls ensure that heating is activated only during specific weather conditions, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption and reducing overall operational expenses.
Types of Flat Roof Snow Melt Systems
There are different types of snow melt systems available for flat roofs. However, not all snow melt systems are created equal. Most of the best snow melting systems can be classified into two different types: electricity-based and hydro-based.
Choosing the right one depends on your roof type, budget, and specific needs. Let’s take a look at how both these snow melt systems work.
Electric Systems
This is a simple type of snow-melting system that uses electricity cables to heat the surface of your roof.
How Do Electric Snow Melt Systems Work?
Electric snow melt systems rely on heating cables embedded directly onto or beneath the roof surface. These cables are powered by electricity and generate consistent heat to melt snow and prevent ice formation. The cables are typically made of durable, weather-resistant materials and are strategically placed in problem-prone areas like roof edges, drains, and flat surfaces with poor drainage.
Some snow melt systems are manual, so you need to turn them on when conditions get severe. Advanced systems are controlled by smart sensors, which activate the heating elements only when conditions like freezing temperatures or snow accumulation are detected.
Advantages:
- Electric snow melting systems are quick to install. Most of the products come pre-assembled.
- Great for roofs with moderate snow loads.
- Energy-efficient for small to medium-scale applications. These are adequate if you have a small-scale commercial building.
Disadvantages:
- The overall cost can get expensive as the area of the roof gets larger.
- Requires sufficient electrical infrastructure.
Hydronic Snow Melt System
Now, let’s talk about the other popular snow-melting system that uses heated water.
How Do Hydronic Snow Melt Systems Work?
Hydronic systems circulate heated liquids, typically a water-glycol mixture (or any other type of ‘antifreeze’ substance).
The liquid is installed through a network of tubing installed beneath the roof surface. These systems use specialized piping that distributes warmth evenly, creating a consistent heating mechanism that prevents snow accumulation and ice dam formation across the entire roof area.
Advantages:
- Highly energy-efficient for large-scale use. This can help you reduce your operating costs.
- Effective for heavy snow loads and cold climates.
Disadvantages:
- Higher upfront installation costs as compared to electric snow melting systems.
- More complex to maintain due to additional plumbing.
Is It Worth the Investment?
Let’s be real: a snow melt system isn’t cheap. But when you weigh the cost against potential repair bills, safety risks, and energy efficiency over time, it’s often a no-brainer for commercial properties.
If your building is located in an area with heavy snowfall or if you’ve dealt with ice dams or snow-related roof damage in the past, a snow melt system can save you money, stress, and liability down the road.
Protect Your Flat Roof With WNY’s Best Roofing Contractors!
As you can see, installing snow melting systems does have advantages. But before you install one, it is important to ensure your flat roofing system is in its best condition.
At Buffalo’s Best Roofing Company LLC, we are the top roofing experts in WNY. Our professionals have years of experience in flat roofing. Contact us today at (716) 276-3673 to book a free roof inspection. We will take a thorough look at your property and recommend measures you can take to improve the health of your commercial flat roof.