Gutter Snow Guards

Snow Guards

Snow guards are devices that are attached to the roof structure in order to uniformly retain and hold snow in place on the roof area. The snow guards need to be applied in sufficient quantity according to a prescribed pattern in order to be effective. Snow Guards are intended to prevent snow movement and provide for the controlled melt and breakdown of the snow mass into smaller sections. Snow guard placement will vary from region to region and will be influenced by roof pitch, the lengths of roof runs and roof features. Local installation customs may not be the best guide for placement. Additional information can be found in sheet metal and air conditioning contractors national association (SMACNA) architectural sheet metal manual. Ultimately a qualified professional should determine placement. Snow guards should never be placed beyond the bearing wall on an extended roof section. This can result in ice damming and cause structural damage.

Elite Gutter recommends that a qualified gutter or roofing contractor be employed to install these products. Roofing professionals have the proper equipment, knowledge and ability to complete the task in a safe and satisfactory manner. The applicator is responsible for compliance with regulations governing local building ordinances and safety regulations.

Safety Hazards

Roofing can be hazardous! Serious injury or fatality can result from falls or electrocution from contacting overhead wires. Observe ladder safety rules for load, positioning and security.
Please make sure all roof surfaces are dry and clean before working. Avoid working in excessive heat, high wind or when there is a threat of lightning. Never work alone.

Do not allow material to be unsecured on the roof. Falling objects are dangerous.

Do not use Competing/Dissimilar Metals with each other!

Galvanic corrosion will occur when dissimilar metals are in contact in the presence of an electrolyte. Water in the form of condensation, rain or snow is an electrolyte. Water that flows over copper becomes electronegative and will cause corrosion of aluminum or steel. Copper, brass or stainless steel fasteners or nails must be used with copper or brass applications. Make sure rivets are solid copper; do not use copper plated steel rivets in copper or brass assembly. Do not use aluminum or galvanized nails to secure any copper products. Corrosion will be more rapid in the presence of salts such as ocean coastal areas or chlorinated water, acid rain, and polluted industrial atmospheres. Accelerated corrosion will occur when a larger area of an electronegative (cathode/protected) element contacts a small electropositive (anodic/corroded) element.

Recommended Snow Guard Pattern

The quantity of snow guards depends on the roof slope, the climate of the region and the snow load. Use the following guidelines as a general rule.