What is really dangerous snow and ice on the roof, How do you remove icicles from a roof? And having collected all the information on snow topics from our website, you will receive the most complete instructions for snow removal. But, the company "CADET-SPb", first of all, offers quality services, one of which is roof snow removal- you can find out the price from our managers by numbers on the site!
Few people think about why they need to remove snow from the roof of the house at all - let it lie, to whom it interferes. But, in fact, this pile of snow is extremely dangerous for each of us. We already wrote that the weight of 1 square meter of snow crust can reach two hundred kilograms or more, imagine the consequences of such a mass falling onto your car, for example. In more detail about what consequences can be from snow or ice on the roof - later in the article.
What is dangerous snow on the roof
Since cases when people or property suffer from falling snow are quite rare, let's take a better look at the widespread problem - damage to the roofing surface from snow. As it was written above, the snow cap that covers all the roofs of Russian houses in winter has an impressive weight. The consequence of which are problems that can only be noticed in the spring or during snowmelt - the roof is leaking.
No wonder all experts recommend technical inspections roofs before winter and immediately after the snow melts. In the first case, this will allow patching up small gaps “in the defense” from outside influences on the spot. In the second case, it will immediately show where and how the roof was damaged in winter period. We will consider this an additional argument in favor of the assertion that winter is a real test for the roof.
Also, the more snow falls, the more it compacts under its own weight. Therefore, for a person ignorant of roofing matters, it may seem that everything is still in order and the roof will withstand the pressure of snow. It is not always so.
But, do not rush to climb onto the roof yourself and try to remove the snow there. You should do this on your own only on roofs specially equipped for this - flat roofs with special extensions for dumping snow, one-story buildings with a simple pitched roof of a small slope. In any other case, call and wait for the arrival of a specialist.
What danger is fraught with frost on the roof
It is not uncommon for icicles or frost (ice crust on the roofing surface) to form constantly and the weather has nothing to do with it - the problem is improper thermal insulation of the roof. When there are problems with the insulation (it gets wet, its thickness is insufficient, the installation was done illiterately) or it is not there, the roof surface begins to heat up from the internal heat of the building. As a result, the temperature difference between environment and roof. Because of this, the snow melts - ice crust and icicles are formed.
As for icicles, no special knowledge is required to be aware of their danger - a hard and heavy pile of ice with a pointed end is not the best housemate, you must agree. A ice crust is dangerous the fact that snow will begin to accumulate on it again, which will no longer confidently hold on to the roofing material. As a result, uncontrolled falls of a huge mass of snow occur on such a crust. As you understand, this is even more dangerous than the fall of an icicle.
These falls will be followed disruption of almost all external communications of the roof, such as antennas, gutter system, snow guards and so on. All this dead weight will rush to the ground along with the snow and will come out to the owners of the house or its residents "for a pretty penny." To avoid such consequences, it is always necessary to order the cleaning of the roof from snow and ice on time. And the problem with the thermal insulation of the roof should be solved even before the onset of winter cold.
What to do with snow on the roof
The overall picture is very bad: both snow and ice have an extremely negative effect on both the roof (roofing surface and roof structure) and the safety of others. On this moment there are only two ways to deal with this problem - snow removal in one way or another, or roof heating installation which simply will not allow snow to accumulate on the roof.
But, the second option is considered very expensive. What does it cost to buy everything necessary equipment, add to this the difficult installation from specialists, and a tidy sum comes out. Moreover, the snowmelt cable system will constantly consume a lot of electricity, which will also hit the owners pocket.
That's why, in the best possible way take care of your roof, there will be a timely cleaning of the roof from snow and icicles. This will extend the life of your roof for years. It's inexpensive compared to roof heating, and you'll get the help you need almost immediately.
A typical picture for any snowfall: cars push through freshly fallen sediment, scattering clods with their wheels. It sticks to bumpers, sills and, especially intensively - in wheel arches. At first glance, everything is in order - the main thing is to keep your distance, not to scorch and everything will be fine. However, it is on such days that a serious danger awaits the car owner from a completely different side. The snow stuck in the wheel arches is far from being as harmless as it seems. As long as the car is in motion in city traffic - there are no problems. , even stuffed to capacity in the wheel arch, remains quite loose and any movement of the wheels when turning (for example, on a perpendicular street) brings down the accumulated snow mass, cutting it off like a cutter.
When driving for a long time on the highway, the situation may change. in the arch, without being disturbed for a long time, it manages to condense and cake. And if on the route there were sections sprinkled with anti-icing reagents, then the mass in the wheel arches is also saturated with melt moisture. After some time, it freezes in the cold into a monolithic piece of ice, practically “embracing” the wheel with a minimum clearance. A similar picture can be observed when a car with strategic reserves of snow in the wings for the night. Before morning, the snow also has time to turn into ice.
Now, there's no point in joking around with him. Firstly, ice can “grab” suspension units or brake system. In this case, attempts to turn the steering wheel can end sadly, for example, for rubber anthers. Without knowing this, you can “arrive” for suspension repair in a fairly short time. About the case when calipers and pads are covered with frozen water, you can not mention. The first attempt to brake can lead to an accident. But even if important knots and the mechanisms are free of ice, it's too early to rejoice. Nobody canceled the danger from the presence of a block of ice between the wheel and the fender liner! When starting off, the wheel can poke it in whole or in part from the “familiar place”. At the same time, most likely, its fragments will stand up “at odds” between the tire and the fender liner. The force developed by the wheel of the car will crush the ice, and maybe even the metal of the wing underneath.
For this reason plastic fender liner may partially or even completely come off and fly out onto the road, or get stuck in the suspension arms and damage some boot. Bearing in mind the possibility of such consequences, it makes sense to monitor what is happening in the wheel arches of your car. Especially in the snow. To avoid the above problems, it is enough to control the wheel arches visually at each for a long time. Having found the accumulated snow, you can take, for example, a snow brush and try to destroy the “snowdrift” with its handle and pick out its pieces out.
Snow on the route is the most unreliable and unstable element of the mountainous terrain, often not taken seriously by a tourist or climber.
We are used to playing with snow, sledding down hills, throwing snowballs and making snowmen. But at the same time, we cannot work out the technique of working with snow at home, similar to the conditions that may arise in the mountains.
Snow... It betrays those who carelessly step on it. And saves those who know how to listen. It provides water and warmth. But it can give cold and death. He will reward each according to his knowledge and skills. Little white God. And he does not need to pray, he himself notices everyone, he himself takes care of his flock. Entertains when he is happy and kills when he is sad. He is such a. An imperceptible ruler for people, clothed with the power to punish and pardon, a snow-white angel from heaven, believing only in his understanding of being in this and the next world. King of the northern spaces. Lord of the Snow.
In the mountains, snow is both life and death. dense snow can greatly facilitate our way to a pass or summit; snow can be used to build huts and windbreaks; on the route we get the water we need for life from the snow. The same snow can make it impossible to move at all, bury the climber under its white thickness, destroy the group like a child's toy. But, the better prepared you are, the more the scale goes in the direction of life.
Of course, snow is not the only winter hazard in the mountains. But it may well complement other factors by the presence of its existence.
Winter. What does the climber face on his way to the top? What should a group of tourists skiing or snowshoeing through snow-covered passes have to expect from the area?
- The practical impossibility of the arrival of any kind of organized assistance before the death of the entire group or its individual members, in the event of an emergency. IN winter conditions this can even apply to found routes. Here you can only rely on yourself. Not always even your own group will be able to help you in case of a mistake. In difficult campaigns, often the mistake of one participant entails the death of the entire group.
- Cold. Here, in the mountains, there is a completely different cold, not the same as in settlements. Severe frost, from which it is often impossible to hide for many days. Outside the tent, often with a strong wind that carries ice crystals that peel off the skin. Add to this the accumulation of cold fatigue and you get exactly the cold that is extremely difficult to resist.
- Snow. The higher we go, the more there is. It is dangerous in the form of avalanches and unstable snow bridges, exhausts with treacherous ice and covers gullies, cracks between stones, empty ice and deceives our eyes with the seeming ease of overcoming the relief.
- Ice. Hard, winter, bottle ice. Bottle ice is slippery like glass and hard, almost like rock. The beak of an ice ax hardly enters it, and cats often glide helplessly on the steep frozen waves of what in summer is perceived as the most beautiful waterfalls.
- Height impact. The higher we rise above sea level, the greater the likelihood of mountain sickness or its individual symptoms. There is no specific height from which the impact of altitude sickness begins; it is different for each mountainous region.
Snow and avalanches are inextricably linked by natural processes that cause constant changes in the shape of snow crystals. Seemingly airy and weightless, the mass of snow that has slipped off the slope can reach a mass of hundreds of tons and can easily squeeze the unlucky climber to a bone fracture. Or cause suffocation by clogging the airways. Or just wall up alive at an unknown depth.
Snow avalanches can occur in any mountainous regions of our country. And in winter they are the main danger, main reason instant death of people on the route.
Where do avalanches come from? Snow, falling in the form of precipitation, is kept on the slope due to the force of friction, while its value depends on a number of factors, including snow moisture, slope steepness. An avalanche occurs at the moment when the pressure force of the snow mass begins to exceed the force of friction.
The slopes with a steepness of 25-45° are most favorable for avalanche formation, however, avalanches are known to descend from slopes with a steepness of 15-18°. It is believed that a slope of 15° with a snow depth of 15 cm can be avalanche-prone under a number of conditions, for example, an initial thaw and strong spring solar radiation, due to which the snow melted, then a sudden hard frost, as a result of which an ideal ice slope was formed, and then a heavy snowfall that powdered the finished ice horizon.
On slopes steeper than 50°, snow cannot accumulate in large quantities and rolls down in small doses as it arrives, however, a slope of 15° or steeper than 60° is considered avalanche-safe. In this case, in particular cases, avalanches may also come down from very gentle slopes - 10-15 °.
However, not everything is so simple with avalanche formation. It is not enough to predict the avalanche risk of slopes for the safe passage of the route. Small circuses in the mountains are natural avalanches and may well overflow in a snowy winter. This is the very moment when the snow from the overflowing avalanche begins to fall down in a huge mass. Most often this happens in the spring, making the avalanche even more dangerous. At the bottom there can be quite convenient parking for tourists.
The logic on the route is very dangerous - everyone stops here, which means it is safe here. Not at all. Without an accurate analysis of the situation, the security of such a camp will be kept at random.
The probability of surviving in an avalanche, average:
47% die either immediately or over time;
53% are retrieved alive, of which 41% are teammates, 12% are organized rescue efforts.
The probability of survival after three hours of being in an avalanche drops unambiguously below 10%.
The probability of salvation without outside help, subject to complete burial, regardless of depth (at least 10 cm) is 0%.
For any winter work on the route is always required high level both physical and technical personal and team training. Just relying on modern equipment is not enough, you also need to be able to use it, as well as keep the body in the appropriate physical shape. Going on an ascent with "gaps" in equipment, tactics and climbing strategy, health is unacceptable.
In the minds of most people, the concepts of "snow" and " disaster are weakly related to each other. Indeed, snow is almost always associated with something festive (usually New Year's), with beautiful views and romantic landscapes in paintings and movies. And a natural disaster is something much more dynamic, more explosive. Meanwhile, snowfall, that is, the process of snowfall, can turn into a serious natural disaster - the whole question is in duration and intensity.
It all depends on the measure.
In fact, the danger of snowfall depends on the same characteristic that makes other natural phenomena dangerous. By themselves, wind, rain or fire can be useful and necessary, but when they overcome a certain limit of measure, they turn into a natural disaster - into hurricanes, floods, forest fires. So is the snowfall: as long as it is weak (that is, its intensity is less than 0.1 millimeters per hour, the number of snowflakes in a cubic meter is less than 10, and so on), it does not pose any threat. Moreover, snow cover is even necessary in winter conditions: having a low thermal conductivity, it protects the soil and the plants in it from freezing in severe frosts.
Everything changes when the snowfall becomes not just heavy, but very heavy. At the same time, the danger of snowfall increased many times as civilization developed, densely populated cities appeared, highways and the like. When the intensity of snowfall exceeds 20 millimeters in 12 hours, it becomes dangerous for man-made infrastructure. The situation is all the more complicated if the snowfalls are prolonged and are observed for many hours, or even several days. The accumulating snow cover covers streets and roads, under its weight power lines break, which leads to interruptions in power supply and communications. In addition, a very large snow cover leads to the collapse of the roofs of houses and even entire buildings.
If very heavy snowfalls are observed in regions with a warm climate, where snow is rare, this is fraught, firstly, with possible complications for the health and life of people and animals; secondly, a high risk of death of agricultural plants. When to heavy snow joins strong wind and a snowstorm begins, this often makes impossible the last means of communication of the cut off snowdrifts settlements With outside world, aviation - and then the situation becomes truly critical.
Winter. Long awaited vacation. Festive mood. Ski resort. Tatras. The most picturesque view from the confluence of winter and summer - snow-capped mountains and bright, seemingly warm sun. Everything around sparkles like a New Year, inviting you to plunge into this unforgettable atmosphere with your head.
Languishing with anticipation, you try to quickly leave the gloomy and dark room of your hotel, striving for fresh air, under the caressing rays of the sun standing high at the zenith. Quickly pulling on your ski suit, grabbing your skis, you finally run outside, joyfully rushing to the nearest ski run. You eagerly look around the surroundings, enjoying the bizarre landscape, from an excess of feelings, tears well up in your eyes, which you immediately brush off with a glove on your hand. And now you are already climbing the mountain, here you are standing at the top, fascinated by the landscape that has opened up for many kilometers.
But suddenly there is some discomfort in the eyes, different levels of the surface becomes difficult to distinguish. There is a feeling as if a lot of small grains of sand got into the eyes. Wondering where the sand came from in the snow, you blink frequently, hoping to wash it away with tears flowing from your eyes, and the feeling of sand is also joined by pains that are getting stronger every minute.
You return to the medical center of your hotel to find out that the holiday has been ruined for several days. Because after a while inflammation of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids join the discomfort and pain, the person really goes blind. Snow blindness occurs.
And it still happens. Taught by "experienced comrades", mindful of the danger of bright snow, you boldly put on "sunglasses" that have been tested many times in warm resorts. And go to the mountains, without fear looking at the surrounding landscape. Only after a while does discomfort reappear, a feeling of sand in the eyes, and then pain. Need I say that after a few hours snow blindness also occurs? Why is this happening?
Let's first understand what this phenomenon is. Why did it get its name snow blindness? And why doesn’t it arise at our house, when we admire the fallen snow for almost a day, but can arise in just a couple of minutes spent in the sunny and snowy mountains?
In such mountains, especially in the pre-spring and spring period, the activity of the Sun is especially high. At an altitude of 3000 meters or more, the atmosphere is quite thin, letting in a lot of ultraviolet rays coming from the sun. Snow, as you know, very well reflects the light falling on it. Remember snowy nights in your city. At this time of the year, it's much brighter outside at night than in summer, isn't it? Snow reflects moonlight, additionally illuminating everything around. The same thing happens in winter in sunny mountains, only up to 40% of sunlight is already reflected, including ultraviolet radiation. This phenomenon is more typical for the southern mountainous regions, but in spring it can also occur in the north.
As a result, the reflected beams fall into wide-open curious eyes, causing retinal burns. What is manifested first by discomfort, and after a few hours by the development of photophobia or even complete blindness (snowy ophthalmia). There are known cases of the occurrence of weak forms of blindness under the action of sunlight reflected from the water surface.
It should be noted that in such mountains one must remain vigilant even on cloudy days, when the sun does not seem to be particularly bright. It is believed that on such days the risk of developing snow blindness is even higher than on sunny days. The fact is that on a cloudy day, due to scattered light, everything around becomes equally white: the sky, and snow, and ice. Hillocks and snow ledges, even large ones, do not cast shadows and become indistinguishable. Concernedly looking at the road, you have to strain your eyesight to the limit. Thus, the pupils dilate, and the eye loses its natural protective mechanism, which, in bright light, limits the reflected sunlight from entering it. retinal burn occurs snow blindness.
Even experienced skiers can become a victim of this disease, since blindness does not develop immediately, but within 4-5 hours after exposure to light (although the exposure itself can be several minutes). As a result, there may be such a picture - I was walking on a snowfield, my eyes were a little blind, but it was tolerable, and in the evening problems appeared ...
How does this disease manifest itself? How dangerous is she? As mentioned above, with snow blindness (snow ophthalmia), first there is discomfort in the eyes, a feeling of sand getting in, and lacrimation. Over time, there is pain in the eyes, redness of the mucous membrane, swelling. Photophobia develops - intolerance at first bright, and then any, even relatively weak, light. After 4-5 hours, complete loss of vision may develop.
What to do if trouble overtook you or your friends? First of all, there is no need to panic. It should be noted that this phenomenon is reversible, and after a few days, as a rule, vision is completely restored without any consequences. The victim needs to close his eyes from the light (put on a mask or bandage) and escort him to a dark room, where to provide first aid, and also call a doctor.
Than only earlier folk craftsmen did not treat snow blindness! They used compresses, alcohol tincture of opium, even snuff! As a first aid for snow blindness, it is recommended to first rinse the eyes with a weak solution of boric acid (Boric acid, acidum boricum), soda, a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) or strong cold tea. Then a dark bandage or dark glasses is put on the eyes. Periodically, cold lotions are placed on the eyes to reduce pain.
Specialists prescribe disinfectants, sulfa drugs for the treatment of snowy ophthalmia. But the main thing is to isolate the eyes from sunlight. The victim needs to ensure peace, place him in a darkened room. Often, when it is impossible to use medications, wearing a dark bandage is the only measure for this disease. As a rule, after 1-2 days the symptoms subside, and after 4-5 days the disease completely disappears. As mentioned above, vision is usually fully restored. However, hypersensitivity to bright light often remains.
As you can see, the disease is quite unpleasant, it lasts more than one day, and therefore it can ruin your entire vacation. Therefore, going to such sunny mountains, one should not forget about the methods of preventing snow blindness. He who is forewarned is forearmed, right?
So, we will arm ourselves with glasses. Moreover, not dear to our hearts "multi-colored" sunglasses carrying with them the memory of pleasant days spent at warm seaside resorts. Because many of these glasses protect from light, but do not protect against ultraviolet radiation, which freely penetrates through the glasses. Cheap plastic glasses can even cause retinal burns - after all, the pupil dilates in the dark. As a result, the penetrating ultraviolet freely enters the retina of the eye, causing a burn. Therefore, it is important that both the certificate and the glasses themselves carry the CE mark, which guarantees the eyes protection from ultraviolet radiation.
If you don't have glasses, or you lost them, broke them, or you just don't like them, you can make substitutes from pieces of wood, cardboard, strips of dark fabric with pinholes, or narrow eye slits. You can also blacken the skin around the eyes with soot, if you are not afraid to scare others with such war paint.
At the same time, it must be remembered that glasses or their substitutes must be worn not only in bright, but also in cloudy weather, since in both cases there is a danger of snow blindness.
But what glasses should be used when choosing filter glasses? Expert opinions differ here. Perhaps this is due to the extent to which glasses of one color or another made it possible to work, move around, and conduct observations. Those. a lot depends on individual preferences. Most Arctic and Antarctic explorers prefer smoky goggles. Smoky glasses have a significant advantage: by reducing the brightness of the lighting, they do not change the perception of surrounding objects.
Now, we hope, when going to the Tatras or other sunny mountains, you will look like real experienced skiers, having acquired everything necessary for this pleasure, including well-chosen glasses-light filters.
