A cubic yard of snow can weight as much as 30 pounds.
Heavy snow accumulation can be devastating to boat docks and the boats housed within them. Because of the sloped dimensions of most roofs, snow can build heavily on one side causing a dock to tilt and become unbalanced. When several inches accumulate, a dock can even topple over or sink. The most important thing to remember, though, is not to risk personal injury by attempting to climb on a damaged dock. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may take only a few more pounds of pressure to collapse the dock. If the structural damage or the weather conditions are severe, have a professional roofer clear the snow and repair any damage. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Document the effects of snow accumulation by video or photographs, for insurance purposes, once the buildup has reached a point when the dock begins to tilt or lean. Contact your insurance agent to find out what next steps are advised. An insurance company might deny coverage if the roof is damaged during the snow-removal process.
2. Use a broomstick to clear away any hanging ice or icicles from the edges of the roof before attempting to remove snow on top of the roof. Icicles can cause serious personal injury if knocked loose while someone is standing underneath. If you can't reach the icicles from land, use duct tape to attach multiple broomsticks together to extend your reach.
3. Buy a roof rake or snow rake. These tools are specifically designed to remove snow with a blade or cutter that's attached to a long pole. Roof rakes, found in hardware stores or online, are often sold as kits that contain multiple parts to allow you to extend the length to fit your needs.
4. Distribute a deicing product over the surface area of the roof to speed up the melting process. Though snow often melts in sunlight, it'll freeze when nightfall hits and temperatures drop. Ice is difficult to clear from roofs and adds even more weight than snow because of its compact state.
5. Take a proactive approach to clearing snow. Don't wait until several inches of snow have accumulated on the dock roof before attempting to remove it. The more snow that builds up, the more danger there is for property damage and personal injury. As soon as you see a few inches gathering, clear off a little every day. Consider, though, leaving a thin layer of snow to protect the roof's surface from damage by the roof rake blade.
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