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.

How do ice dams form?

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.

How to avoid ice dams?

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.

1. Secure the attic insulation. Insulating the attic of the home will allow less heat to escape and thereby largely eliminate the staggered snowmelt that leads to ice dams.
2. Create ventilation. Both on the roof itself and from the attic through the roof at the corners, creating and installing ventilation will allow for the warm air to escape the sides of the home while allowing for cold air to run up the length of the roof to keep the snow cold and safe.
3. Cap any hatches on the roof. Ceiling fans, attic hatches and other such openings allow for warm air to escape in droves. Sealing or capping these openings effectively will greatly reduce the amount of melt-water that has the potential to form an ice dam.
4. Install snow brackets. Snow clips will help to retain the snow on the roof and will discourage the formation of ice dams by holding snow in place and allowing for an even and natural melt.

In response to requests from architects and other construction specifiers, TRA Snow and Sun has decided to continue with the popular continuing education course, “Roofing Solutions for Alpine Regions”.  

Learning how to protect people and property from dangerous falling snow and ice just got much easier with the online course created by TRA Snow and Sun and approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). When an architect designs a building there are hundreds of decisions to make besides the obvious, visual components that make up an attractive and functional building: what type of window to specify, what color carpet, or what type of roof are obvious ones. There are some specifications that are vital to the safety of those who will use the building and create liability for the architect and contractors.

If the building is located in a snowy, cold climate, special consideration should be given to the proper design and engineering of devices to retain snow and ice on the roof. Most construction professionals don’t realize the importance of snow retention devices and how critical they are in alpine regions.

Terry Anderson, nationally respected roofing consultant and owner of TRA Snow and Sun and Anderson Associates Consulting, has established himself and his companies as experts in the roof snow retention industry over 35 years and is co-author of the Concrete and Clay Tile Design Criteria for Cold and Snow Regions. The AIA online course, Roofing Solutions for Alpine Regions provides one credit hour of continuing education credit for architects wishing to maintain their license. It is also available for anyone wishing to understand the best way to design a roof in a cold or snowy climate. It incorporates Anderson’s extensive experience and deals specifically with:

• The common roofing challenges that are unique to cold climates.
• The advantages and disadvantages of the most common solutions to snow and ice on roofs.
• The accepted roof design practices in Europe as compared to those in the United States and Canada.
• The concepts and effectiveness of roof ventilation and snow retention in reducing snow and ice problems.
• Several factors to be considered in the proper engineering of roof snow retention devices.

The course is available online (Ron Blank) or online (AEC Daily) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Credits are automatically submitted to AIA, CSI and other organizations by AEC Daily, one of the largest providers of free continuing education for architects, engineers, contractors, specifiers, and other construction professionals.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Guard Retention Devices, Solar Racking Systems and Roof Ventilation and Flashing Solutions. They provide all customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer, free engineered designs for all their systems. For more information call us at 801-756-8666.

SAVE THE DATE – AIA/HSW SNOW RETENTION WEBINAR
Wednesday, January 27th

Office Managers & Others – Feel Free To Share!

Invited: Architects & Associates (or anyone who would be interested)
For Continuing Education Units (CEU): AIA/HSW Credit Available
Topic: Rooftop Snow Retention – Solving the Mystery with the Facts
(New Course This Year)
Format: Zoom Webinar – Provided by TRA Snow & Sun
*No Registration Fee Required.
Time: 12:00 to 1:00 pm MST (1-hour presentation followed by questions)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
To discuss various solutions for snow and ice moving on roofs, including best design practices for roof types. Design professionals will learn how modern snow retention systems utilize engineering to retain snow efficiently to protect from rooftop avalanches. Learn about the problems and hazards associated with snow and ice moving on roofs or sliding off roofs. Discover the value of engineered snow retention systems.

LIVE SESSION PRE-REGISTRATION:
Pre-register for this event by January 27th, 2021 by https:/lnkd.in/eEWGbqm.

#AIA#HSW#architects#design#building#architecture#designers#landscapearchitects#landscapedesigners#learning#architectureanddesign#continuingeducation#aiacredit#construction#outdoordesign#webinar#event

SAVE THE DATE – AIA/HSW SNOW RETENTION WEBINAR
Wednesday, December 2nd

Office Managers – Feel Free To Share!

Invited: Architects & Associates (or anyone who would be interested)
For Continuing Education Units (CEU): AIA/HSW Credit Available
Topic: Rooftop Snow Retention – Solving the Mystery with the Facts
(New Course This Year)
Format: Zoom Webinar – Provided by TRA Snow & Sun
*No Registration Fee Required.
Time: 12:00 to 1:00 pm MST (1-hour presentation followed by questions)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
To discuss various solutions for snow and ice moving on roofs, including best design practices for roof types. Design professionals will learn how modern snow retention systems utilize engineering to retain snow efficiently to protect from rooftop avalanches. Learn about the problems and hazards associated with snow and ice moving on roofs or sliding off roofs. Discover the value of engineered snow retention systems.

LIVE SESSION PRE-REGISTRATION:
Pre-register for this event by December 2nd, 2020 by https:/lnkd.in/eEWGbqm.

#AIA#HSW#architects#design#building#architecture#designers#landscapearchitects#landscapedesigners#learning#architectureanddesign#continuingeducation#aiacredit#construction#outdoordesign#webinar#event

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.

In response to requests from architects and other construction specifiers, TRA Snow and Sun have decided to continue with the popular continuing education course.  

Learning how to protect people and property from dangerous falling snow and ice just got much easier with the online course created by TRA Snow and Sun and approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). When an architect designs a building there are hundreds of decisions to make besides the obvious, visual components that make up an attractive and functional building: what type of window to specify, what color carpet, or what type of roof are obvious ones. There are some specifications that are vital to the safety of those who will use the building and create liability for the architect and contractors.

If the building is located in a snowy, cold climate, special consideration should be given to the proper design and engineering of devices to retain snow and ice on the roof. Most construction professionals don’t realize the importance of snow retention devices and how critical they are in alpine regions.

Terry Anderson, nationally respected roofing consultant and owner of TRA Snow and Sun and Anderson Associates Consulting, has established himself and his companies as experts in the roof snow retention industry over 35 years and is co-author of the Concrete and Clay Tile Design Criteria for Cold and Snow Regions. The AIA online course, Roofing Solutions for Alpine Regions provides one credit hour of continuing education credit for architects wishing to maintain their license. It is also available for anyone wishing to understand the best way to design a roof in a cold or snowy climate. It incorporates Anderson’s extensive experience and deals specifically with:

• The common roofing challenges that are unique to cold climates.
• The advantages and disadvantages of the most common solutions to snow and ice on roofs.
• The accepted roof design practices in Europe as compared to those in the United States and Canada.
• The concepts and effectiveness of roof ventilation and snow retention in reducing snow and ice problems.
• Several factors to be considered in the proper engineering of roof snow retention devices.

The course is available online (Ron Blank) or online (AEC Daily) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Credits are automatically submitted to AIA, CSI and other organizations by AEC Daily, one of the largest providers of free continuing education for architects, engineers, contractors, specifiers, and other construction professionals.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Guard Retention Devices, Solar Racking Systems and Roof Ventilation and Flashing Solutions. They provide all customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer, free engineered designs for all their systems. For more information call us at 801-756-8666.

In response to requests from architects and other construction specifiers, TRA Snow and Sun has decided to continue with the popular continuing education course, “Roofing Solutions for Alpine Regions”.  

Learning how to protect people and property from dangerous falling snow and ice just got much easier with the online course created by TRA Snow and Sun and approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). When an architect designs a building there are hundreds of decisions to make besides the obvious, visual components that make up an attractive and functional building: what type of window to specify, what color carpet, or what type of roof are obvious ones. There are some specifications that are vital to the safety of those who will use the building and create liability for the architect and contractors.

If the building is located in a snowy, cold climate, special consideration should be given to the proper design and engineering of devices to retain snow and ice on the roof. Most construction professionals don’t realize the importance of snow retention devices and how critical they are in alpine regions.

Terry Anderson, nationally respected roofing consultant and owner of TRA Snow and Sun and Anderson Associates Consulting, has established himself and his companies as experts in the roof snow retention industry over 35 years and is co-author of the Concrete and Clay Tile Design Criteria for Cold and Snow Regions. The AIA online course, Roofing Solutions for Alpine Regions provides one credit hour of continuing education credit for architects wishing to maintain their license. It is also available for anyone wishing to understand the best way to design a roof in a cold or snowy climate. It incorporates Anderson’s extensive experience and deals specifically with:

• The common roofing challenges that are unique to cold climates.
• The advantages and disadvantages of the most common solutions to snow and ice on roofs.
• The accepted roof design practices in Europe as compared to those in the United States and Canada.
• The concepts and effectiveness of roof ventilation and snow retention in reducing snow and ice problems.
• Several factors to be considered in the proper engineering of roof snow retention devices.

The course is available online (Ron Blank) or online (AEC Daily) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Credits are automatically submitted to AIA, CSI and other organizations by AEC Daily, one of the largest providers of free continuing education for architects, engineers, contractors, specifiers, and other construction professionals.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Guard Retention Devices, Solar Racking Systems and Roof Ventilation and Flashing Solutions. They provide all customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer, free engineered designs for all their systems. For more information call us at 801-756-8666.

The first goal I had when establishing TRA was to prevent injury and needless death to people by creating snow guards that would not fail.  I wanted to be sure dangerous avalanches of snow and ice could be stopped by engineering each snow retention project.  That original objective of safe, dependable, complete systems has carried over to all products we manufacture – solar mounting products, flexible ventilation and snow retention.  Thank-you for your trust in us as we work with you to continue this paramount objective of safety and dependability.

I hope that we are doing a good job in our mission:

• To offer the highest quality snow retention, solar mounting systems, flexible roof flashing and ventilation products made from superior materials that provide the ultimate in protection, durability and dependability.
• We strive daily to provide customized service, exceptional engineering, superior manufacturing, and resourceful solutions for each customer, focusing on the unique requirements of each project.
• Our team is united, innovative and dedicated. Each employee pursues excellence in each company endeavor and realizes that maintaining the good reputation that took decades to establish depends on them.
• We are not content to simply be successful, but strive to set new and higher standards in all that we do.

As the owner of TRA Snow and Sun, I am responsible for the quality of our products, the service to our customers, and the care of our employees.  Each of these things is supremely important to me, but none are possible without YOU.  The customized service that we provide is dependent on YOU, our customer, working closely with us to engineer systems which are superior and dependable.  Each project is unique and we appreciate your efforts to make your individual project the best possible.

In this time of Thanksgiving, I thank YOU for the opportunity to provide the world with dependable roofing systems.  Thank YOU for your partnership and your trust in TRA Snow and Sun.

Please contact me at any time.  I welcome your suggestions and ideas.

Terry E. Anderson
President
800-606-8980