Snow on the roof

Purplefans & Harvey · 01-17-2011, 06:30 AM

DH and our RV share the same problem - snow on the roof!
We never shoveled the snow from the old RV, but now with
the Class "A" I'm not sure whether to just let the winter happen,
or to run the heater to melt what snow it can melt.

Can't get up there to shovel, so that's not an option.
Obviously, this wouldn't be a problem if I lived somewhere
warm, but that's an other issue!

Any opinion is welcome! Thanks!

tncruiser · 01-17-2011, 06:37 AM

my reaction to turning the neat on would be determined by the amount of snow
we oar our unit in our drive and it is fairly steeped so as soon as the sun hits it it rolls off
getting up there to remove it is a no=no dangerous to you a and the roof
maybe just head south ??????????????
brianj

**"007"** · 01-17-2011, 06:49 AM

I have 1' of snow on my roof and will stay there until spring with these tempertures.
If you have no problem cleaning your roof in spring and you feel no weak spots under your feet the roof will support another 1' of snow.

Purplefans & Harvey · 01-17-2011, 06:49 AM

Ours is stored in driveway also, but it's not steep. It does get the south sun, but here in the north that doesn't matter - the temp is 20, 9 with the wind chill the happy weathermen tell us. I'm worried if I start the heater and it starts to melt, will I get those ice dams like you do on a house? I'm thinkin doing nothing is better, although there's about a foot of snow on the roof, and some more to come. If only these darned kids didn't have school tomorrow, I'd drive south in a minute!

**"007"** · 01-17-2011, 06:56 AM

The kids have nothing to do with it, its the weather.
If your roof is sealed OK should not have leaks. If you did have a weak seam the heater melting snow may cause water to get into it and seal would open more when water freezes.

Purplefans & Harvey · 01-17-2011, 06:59 AM

Thank you! We did have the roof and seams/seals checked this fall.
So I will not do anything to the RV except plan our 2011 vacation trips with it and dream of warm weather!

Happy Martin Luther King Day to all!

justustwo · 01-17-2011, 07:08 AM

Just because theres snow on the roof doesen't mean the fire is out in the furnace, so maybe dh doesen't have any problems. LOL I've had at least 4 feet of snow on mine, leave it.

rsflight · 01-17-2011, 10:00 AM

We live in a snow belt area of upstate NY. We have had our motorhome in our drive, uncovered, for 25 years. I have never cleared the snow off. Most I've had on the roof is about 36". Mother nature blows a lot off over time. I do not worry about it.

Purplefans & Harvey · 01-17-2011, 10:11 AM

Thanks All! And I'll show DH the comments about his furnace!

Roy W. · 01-20-2011, 08:02 PM

I agree on leaving the snow on the roof, but if you have to move, you must brush the snow off the slideout awnings or they will not roll up as the slide comes in. I even had to beat on the wind up spring at the end of the roller tube to get things moving. Also, if you had any rain before or during the snow storm, there will be a small pool of ice which settles in the middle of the slideout awning. They usually break free easily while the slideout awning is coming in. All this is best monitored form up on the roof.

Purplefans & Harvey · 01-27-2011, 08:06 AM

OK, we agreed that another foot would be ok for the camper. Now we got another 16 inches!

Should we do anything about the roof? I have a roof rake, but worry that if I rake the edges, the middle will be overweighted and have problems. Should we just cross our fingers and toes?