Heavy snow and rain gutters don't always get along.
If you've lived around Mount Shasta for a few winters, you've probably heard snow come sliding off a roof. Sometimes it's just a little. Other times, a whole section lets go at once, and anything underneath is going to take the hit.
Rain gutters are usually the first thing in the way.
We've seen gutters bent out of shape, hangers pulled loose, and sections torn away from the fascia. It doesn't take long for a heavy load of snow to ruin a gutter system.
At OrCal Seamless Rain Gutters, we install snow guards and snow brakes on homes, garages, shops, and other buildings throughout Northern California. We work in Mount Shasta, Weed, Dunsmuir, and surrounding areas where winter snow can be hard on roofs and gutters.
We also offer different styles of snow brakes. Some are made for shingle roofs, while others are designed for metal roofing. The roof itself, along with the amount of snow it gets, helps determine which type makes sense.
Snow guards are small devices installed on a roof to slow down or hold back snow before it slides off in one big sheet.
You'll also hear them called snow brakes, snow stops, or snow retention systems. Different names, but they're generally used for the same reason.
Without them, snow can build up for days or weeks and then come off all at once when the weather warms up.
Snow guards help hold that snow on the roof longer, allowing it to melt or come down in smaller amounts.
They're especially useful when you've got gutters, a deck, walkway, or entryway underneath a roof that sheds snow.
They won't stop every piece of snow or ice from coming down, and they're not a substitute for a roof that's built to handle the snow load. But on the right roof, they can help prevent a lot of unnecessary damage.
Metal roofs are common around Mount Shasta and other mountain communities. They hold up well to the weather, but they can shed snow pretty quickly.
You might have two feet of snow sitting on a metal roof, and then a warm afternoon comes along. Before you know it, a big section breaks loose and heads straight for the gutter.
That's why we recommend looking at snow brakes when we're working on metal-roof homes in areas that get heavy snowfall.
It's not just about the gutters, either. Snow coming off the roof can land on a deck, block a walkway, or pile up near a doorway.
Some metal roofs use individual snow guards. Others are better suited for snow rails or a different type of bracket. It depends on the metal roofing profile, how steep the roof is, and how much snow it's expected to hold.
The mounting method matters too. Some guards clamp onto standing seams, while other systems use approved fasteners.
We don't assume the same bracket will work on every metal roof. The hardware and layout need to be suited to the roofing system and the snow loads.
Metal roofs aren't the only roofs that can have problems with sliding snow.
Certain shingle roofs can shed snow too, especially on steeper sections or during changing temperatures.
We install snow brakes designed for compatible shingle roofs, including styles with a mounting flange that extends underneath the shingles.
Other types of snow guards attach using different approved methods.
We look at the shingles, the condition of the roof, and how the snow brake needs to be fastened before deciding what to use.
The last thing anyone wants is to put holes in a roof and end up with leaks later. Proper fastening and waterproofing are just as important as the snow brake itself.
When we're installing gutters in snow country, we pay attention to what's going on above them.
A rain gutter can be installed correctly and still get damaged by sliding snow. The gutter is there to catch water coming off the roof, not to hold back hundreds of pounds of snow.
We install a lot of 6-inch OG K-style seamless gutters because they handle more water than smaller gutters. That's helpful during heavy rain and when snow starts melting.
But even a larger gutter can get ripped loose if enough snow hits it.
That's why we recommend discussing snow brakes when you're having new seamless rain gutters installed in an area that gets heavy snow.
If you've already had gutters damaged by snow, we can take a look and see whether gutter repair will take care of it or if gutter replacement would be the better option.
Sometimes replacing the damaged gutter is only part of the job. If the roof keeps dumping snow onto it every winter, the same problem can happen again.
Mount Shasta gets its share of winter weather, and some properties see a lot more snow than others.
A house down in town might have completely different conditions than a cabin farther up the mountain.
We install snow brakes in the Mount Shasta area and recommend them especially on metal roofs where heavy snow can slide down toward gutters, entrances, or other parts of the property.
We also work in Weed, Dunsmuir, and nearby Siskiyou County communities.
A steep roof with a long run of metal panels can have a lot of snow moving toward the edge. A smaller roof with a gentler pitch may need something different.
That's why we look at the actual roof before recommending a particular snow brake.
You can see more of the communities we serve on our Northern California service locations page.
Truckee and the Lake Tahoe area can get some serious snow. Homes around Tahoe City, Olympic Valley, and Kings Beach often have steep roofs, metal roofing, and plenty of places where falling snow can cause trouble.
A roof that sheds snow toward an open yard is one thing. A roof that sheds directly over a walkway or front door is another.
Snow brakes are worth considering in these areas, especially when you're putting on new gutters or replacing ones that have already been damaged.
If you're planning a gutter installation on a mountain home, it's worth talking about snow retention before the work starts.
There are quite a few snow guard products out there, and they aren't all interchangeable.
We start by looking at what kind of roof you have. Then we look at the pitch, how long the roof is, and where the snow is likely to end up.
The amount of snow the area receives makes a difference, too.
On some roofs, individual snow brakes may be an option. Others may call for a different system altogether.
The manufacturer will have requirements for how many guards are needed, where they go, and how they need to be attached. The roof also has to be able to handle the snow being held in place.
We don't believe in guessing at the spacing or just putting a few brackets along the bottom edge and calling it good.
Most of the time, people are talking about the same general type of product. Snow guards, snow brakes, and snow stops are all names used for hardware that helps keep snow from sliding off a roof all at once. The actual shape and mounting method can vary quite a bit.
Not always, but they're worth looking into if your home gets a lot of snow. We especially recommend considering them around Mount Shasta and other mountain areas where snow can slide off metal roofs and damage gutters or fall onto walkways.
Yes. There are snow brake systems made for existing metal and shingle roofs. Which type can be installed depends on the roofing material, its condition, and how the hardware attaches.
Yes, certain snow guards are made for asphalt shingle roofs. Some have mounting brackets that extend underneath the shingles. Others use different fastening methods approved for the roofing system.
They can help reduce damage caused by snow sliding off the roof. We can't promise that a gutter will never get damaged during a heavy winter, but snow brakes can be an important part of protecting it.
That depends on the roof. The pitch, roof length, expected snow load, and type of snow guard all affect the number and spacing. It's something that needs to be worked out using the product manufacturer's requirements rather than guessing.
It varies. A small roof with easy access is different from a steep two-story roof that needs a larger system. The type of hardware and amount of installation work also affect the price. We can give you a better idea once we know what the job involves.
On many metal roofs, yes, they're worth considering. Mount Shasta can get heavy snowfall, and sliding snow can be hard on gutters. If your roof sheds snow toward a walkway, doorway, or gutter, it's worth having the setup looked at.
No. They're meant to help control how snow moves, not guarantee that nothing will ever slide. Even with snow guards, snow and ice can still come off during certain conditions.
If snow has been tearing up your gutters, or you're getting ready to install new gutters on a home in snow country, give us a call.
We install different types of snow guards and snow brakes for metal and shingle roofs. We'll take a look at what you've got, talk through the options, and help you figure out what makes sense.
OrCal Seamless Rain Gutters serves Mount Shasta, Weed, Dunsmuir, and surrounding Northern California communities, along with the Truckee and Lake Tahoe region.
Call OrCal Seamless Rain Gutters at 530-410-4395 or contact us through our website.
