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The formation of ice dams on the roof can spell disaster for any homeowner and is an issue that must be solved quickly. Ice dams are the name referring to the buildup of ice on the eaves of the roof which can cause standing water to be caught on the shingles.
An ice dam forms as heat from the home escapes through the roof and causes the snow that is on top of the roof to melt. As the meltwater runs down the roof, it cools when it hits the parts of the roof that are not heated from the home, usually the eaves of the roof, and refreezes, causing the buildup of more and more ice until an ice dam has formed and has completely blocked the flow of melting water from the roof.
When water is left standing on the roof, it has the potential to erode shingles and leak into the home, cause great amounts of water damage to both the roof of the home and possibly the interior of the home as well. But this damage can be avoided if the homeowner will take the appropriate steps in avoiding the buildup of ice dams.
ASTM’s current standard that is being developed is titled “Standard Test Method for Snow Retention Devices attached to Wood Sheathing”. TRA, a current member of the ASTM task group, is helping the development move along by testing its products per the standard and then providing the task group with the results for analysis. Several hundred test results will be provided over the next several months.
In addition to providing valuable information to the task group, TRA is also benefiting from the process. We are seeing great results and increased values on our Apex snow bracket design, that is being used for the tests. What does that mean? If test results continue, the Apex profile bracket will prove to be a better value for the customer with fewer snow guards required.
Due to Covid-19 concerns, the goal remains the same to have a completed standard ready to submit to the main committee by April 2021.
#snowguard, #snowretention, #snowguardstandards, #snowbracket, #architect
ABOUT US: TRA Snow & Sun is a manufacturer of snow retention products. We have been committed to achieving the highest standards of excellence in every endeavor we pursue and this dedication along with consistent performance, trust, and open communication creates the atmosphere of long term, win-win relationships with our employees, customers and vendors.
TRA Snow & Sun is seeking a qualified individual for a position as a Production Worker within our manufacturing facility located in American Fork, UT. The ideal candidate must show a strong work ethic with personal attention to quality and safety.
JOB PURPOSE: Work on production line and assists with assembling/prepping in the production of the company’s products.
SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm (must be available to work overtime when scheduled)
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Work as part of a team to aid the company processes to ready the product for shipping • Become familiar with all the products (types for brackets, metals, assemblies) and how they are used and stored; • Think and practice safety daily • Must be able to multi-task and cross train • Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.
QUALIFICATIONS: • High School diploma or equivalent; no experience required. • Able to multi-task and cross train on a variety of machinery. • Must demonstrate the ability to follow directions and work within the Production Department to learn the production process; • Willing and able to perform manual labor required of the position (lifting of a minimum of 75 lbs., stacking, pushing, etc. of heavy objects).
SUBMIT REFERENCES WITH YOUR RESUME, PLEASE TO:
DeAnna Gravius
dgravius@trasnowandsun.com
You may stop by between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm at 1657 South 580 East, American Fork. Be prepared to start work immediately if you qualify. Standard work attire for warehouse employees requires steel-toe shoes and long pants.
TRA will be presenting an open snow retention lunch and learn with the Associated General Contractors of Utah on February 12th, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. This lunch and learn is open to anyone who would like to attend. The cost for AGC members is $15 and for non-members is $20 which includes lunch. Follow the link to register. <To Register Click Here>
Event Location:
AGC Headquarters
2207 South 1070 West
Salt Lake City, UT. 84119
Event Description:
In the building world there are codes and standards for everything, that is except for rooftop snow retention. That’s right, there are no national or local codes that that govern the engineering, manufacturing, testing, or installation of snow retention devices. This is a dilemma for building professionals trying to deal with the safety issues caused by sliding snow and ice.
This course discusses the primary reasons snow retention is needed on a roof and the science behind each type of system. It explains why engineering is the key to a successful system and why a lack of engineering is the primary key to a system failing. You will also explore many of the common objections to including snow retention on a building project and why they are worth the added expense in the long run. Finally, you will learn how a good snow retention company will help bridge the gap created by the lack of codes and standards.
A question once asked – On the roofs of many houses, along the eave, there are…best as I can describe it… shaped thingies. I’ve seen others that look octagonal and yet others that are round. I’ve seen them on steep roofs and not-so-steep roofs. My bank even has them. They look great, but do they do anything?
The answer is yes. What you’re talking about are called snow guards for retaining snow on the roof. When snow and ice accumulate on the roof, they are pulled by gravity and want to slide down the slope of the roof. A well-designed snow retention system is intended to hold the snow on the roof so that it can melt in place.
At TRA Snow and Sun, we engineer and manufacture over 54+ variations of snow guards, and always welcome custom pieces made just for your roofing project. Yes, 54 may seem a lot, right? And your right it is, and here’s why – every roof design can be complex and is different from material, slope, shape, size, pitch, valleys, etc.., and ground snow loads vary significantly from one area to another. This is why we make several different engineered (from the fail point of the system) snow guards tailored to each unique roof designs for every roof type, new or existing, and in many styles that differ in form and function.
The Snow Bracket™ D – Apex is a permanent snow retention system that is aesthetically pleasing on any new asphalt shingled, simulated slate /or simulated shake roofs. Choose between a vast array of painted powdered colors, available in standard mill finish of steel, copper or aluminum. The Snow Guard Bracket D fastens to roof sheathing to any new construction of an asphalt shingled roof.
Asphalt shingle roofs very common in the United States and it is important you have a Snow Bracket™ that fits the roof type you are installing the product on.
Secure Attachment
Superior Strength
Variety of Material Types
Snow Bracket™ D – Apex
Length: 12″
Width: 2.25″
Height: 3″
• Paintlok Steel: 16 ga
• Copper: 48 oz (ASTM B152)
• Stainless Steel: 16 ga (ASTM A240)
• Zinc Plated
• Powder coating available in many colors
*We can provide Paintlock brackets unpainted BUT they must be painted before installing or rusting will occur.
At TRA Snow and Sun, we engineer and lay out each project free of charge using many factors specific to your roof. We then provide you with the snow retention plan, layout and product detail. TRA Snow and Sun representatives will work with you to design the most efficient snow retention system. Fill out our Snow Retention Checklist to get started.
All Snow Brackets have been tested from the fail point of the system.
Every once in a while a customer will ask us why they should purchase our metal snow retention rather than the plastic ones they see. We typically don’t like plastic snow guards for many reasons.
TRA Metal Clamp-on vs Plastic Guards
Because of its tough nature, metal can withstand the sun’s destructive UV rays. Over time plastic will crack and deteriorate when continuously exposed to the sun. If you already have a metal roof, it simply does not make sense to put plastic on it. Metal snow guards will ensure that your metal roof is protected.
Unlike metal, plastic snow guards are usually attached to a roof using caulking, which is likely to fail for the following reasons:
TRA C21Z Clamp-on with Ice Flags
Next time you are near a roof with plastic snow guards, see if any are missing and let us know!
We recommend only metal snow retention because we know it can properly protect those in and around your home. For extra protection, we engineer from the sheathing up with the fastener and provide a warranty on the entire snow retention system. Before installation, we engineer a specific layout to see that the system is exactly what you need for your specific location and weather. Contact us with any of your project details and we’ll provide you with the best snow defense system that’ll get you ready for winter.
There are several factors that one must evaluate when determining if a particular building requires a snow guard retention system. During the winter months, as snow accumulates on your home, gravity will begin to pull it down the slope of your roof. There are many reasons this can be harmful to your home or even dangerous. In worst structural cases, this can lead to damage to costly gutter systems, structural damage to lower roof levels, and even destruction of mature landscaping around the perimeter of a home.
Low-slope roofs with parapet walls naturally keep snow and ice on the roof. On a sloped roof, however, large chunks of snow and ice can slide off as the snow melts. Avalanching snow is probable on roofing systems with a steep enough slope and/or a low coefficient of friction. This is especially dangerous for pedestrians walking below.
There are many types of roofing materials, each has advantages and disadvantages and each should be considered when determining the placement of snow retention on the building.
When considering whether to install a snow retention system on your roof, you may first want to consider what type of roof you have. Will your roof allow snow to slide? Probably. In places with heavy snows, like areas in Utah, it is common for snow to slide off of all types of roof systems, leading to heavy ice and snow build up in gutters, which causes damage over time. If you have a metal, tile, slate or membrane roof with a pitch of 1/12 or greater, snow will definitely slide off and cause problems.
TRA snow retention systems are available for all types of roofs and come in a variety of options. The specific snow retention equipment recommended for your roof will depend on the type of roof system installed, the pitch of the roof, snow load, sheathing type, how old the building is and budget.
Our snow fences, brackets, and clamps are all types of snow retention systems that prevent large sheets of snow or ice from falling off a pitched roof. The systems hold the snow on the roof so it can gradually melt off, preventing damage to people and objects below.
At TRA Snow and Sun, we engineer and layout each project free of charge using the unique factors specific to your project. TRA Snow and Sun representatives will work with you to design the most efficient snow retention system. We can design your roof to work with a variety of applications. Just give us your project details & we will design your Snow Retention System to fit your project. For more information call TRA Snow and Sun at 801-756-8666.
Terry Anderson, owner of TRA Snow and Sun, chairing a meeting in Washington, DC and webinar of the ASTM Committee for roof snow retention standards. Did you know there are currently NO roof snow retention standards to prevent needless deaths from snow and ice falling off a roof like what happened to a mom and her nine year old son on a skiing vacation at Kirkwood Resort in California last March? That MUST change! He is working hard to fix this issue.
TRA Snow and Sun knows that it is important to specify snow guard roof snow retention. Snow retention should be as worry free and easy as possible for architects, designers and homeowners. So over the last several months we worked hard with our partners to improve the quality and ease of creating a good, safe, and specific roof snow retention specification.
We are proud to announce that our Division 07 7253 Roof Snow Retention specifications have just been enhanced and updated!
Designers and contractors can read and download the snow guard specifications using MasterSpec or with SpecLink. They can also contact TRA Snow and Sun via phone or through our contact page at anytime and we will e-mail the latest snow guard specifications which can be merged into master specification documents.
With our updated snow guard specifications, designers have the necessary knowledge base to create the perfect snow retention system for their unique project design. We have made it as easy as ever!
TRA Snow & Sun’s snow guard products provide superior benefits to building designers and contractors because they get a safe SYSTEM, not just a good product. We test and engineer our products based on the components of their specific roof system (snow guard, sheathing, attachment, slope, snow-load, etc.). This dramatically decreases the designer or contractor’s liability!
TRA provides a FREE, no obligation, ENGINEERED LAYOUT within 2 business days – 855-542-1861. Website: https://trasnowandsun.com/architects/.
Choose from zinc-plated steel, copper or stainless steel. All steel can be powdered coat to match the roof color. Roof types include metal panel, asphalt & cedar shingles, corrugated metal, flat granule metal, simulated slate, single ply, slate, tile & wood shake.
TRA Snow and Sun has something that every roofer needs “flashing”. It’s a must-have for all roofers. We call it the “roofer’s duct tape”.
The primary reason any type of roofing exists is to provide a protective layer to maintain a barrier between the interior of a building and the weather. How this is accomplished can take many different forms. When it comes to flashing, there’s nothing proven to work better than TRA Snow and Sun’s flexible aluminum or copper flashing. It adheres to the wall or other roofing structure or tile, is extremely flexible, and adds a professional finish to all roofing projects while being extremely effective at sealing out water and preventing leaks.
VersaFlash and TileSeal are flexible rolled flashing that attach to the surface of the roof with butyl adhesive. Our flashing works like magic for many roofs especially around hard to flash areas! VersaFlash and TileSeal are extremely easy to use on the work site. You can use it in areas like around roof-to-wall abutments, around chimneys and pretty much everywhere else. Plus, it’s competitively priced.
Simply put, TRA Snow & Sun flashing is easy to use, flexible and will save you time and money without sacrificing an inch in quality. There are many reasons you’ll love our Aluminum and Copper VersaFlash and TileSeal Flashing — but once you choose it, you’ll never roof without it again.
TRA Snow and Sun is your number one source for solar mounting, snow retention, flexible ventilation, and flashing material. We offer competitive prices and guarantee our products. Try a FREE SAMPLE of our VersaFlash! Give us a call today at 801-756-8666 for more details, and check out all of our flashing products.
Take a look at these pictures for a fresh new snow guard clamp-on look. Our black Xylan hardware is now available for any colored clamp-on. Would this be your new snow retention look? Tell us by a simple comment on our contact page…
OUR PAINTED XYLAN BLACK HARDWARE!
XYLAN BLACK HARDWARE BENEFITS
TRA snow guards for snow retention systems are available for all types of roofs and come in a variety of options. The specific snow retention equipment recommended for your roof will depend on the type of roof system installed, the pitch of the roof, snow load, sheathing type, how old the building is and budget.
Our snow guard snow fences, brackets, and clamps are all types of snow retention systems that prevent large sheets of snow or ice from falling off a pitched roof. The systems hold the snow on the roof so it can gradually melt off, preventing damage to people and objects below.
At TRA Snow and Sun, we engineer and layout each project free of charge using the unique factors specific to your project. TRA Snow and Sun representatives will work with you to design the most efficient snow guard retention system. We can design your roof to work with a variety of applications. Just give us your project details & we will design your Snow Guard Retention System to fit your project. For more information call TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980.
Main Office
1657 South 580 East
American Fork, UT 84003
Contact Us
Local: 801-756-8666
Toll Free: 877-290-8669
FAX
801-756-7891
HOURS:
Phone Hours:
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (MT) M-F
Office Hours:
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MT) M-F
Will Call Hours:
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (MT) M-F