Make the snow slide

[Copymutt]

I have an old metal, Propanel roof. Aesthetically it’s gone mostly dull and oxidized. The looks don’t bother me. What I’d like to accomplish is some kind of treatment/ coating that will encourage the snow to slide off. Multiple pitches, from 5/12 to 2/12. When we have a decent winter I have to shovel it off into the driveway and make extra plow runs.
Thought about wax, or some of the many synthetic lubes. Most would probably be very short term due to the intense sun here.
Ideas anyone?

 

[Pluribus]

Will watch this with interest, as I have a 10:12 pitch roof that snow will stick to regularly. Age, weathering, pitch, debris, etc. will make them a lot stickier than people think.

 

[Copymutt]

Searched for an hr. and found this product. Only one stated for this specific purpose. Well over $2 grand for typical sq.ft. Still looking. I’m inclined to treat it like an oxidized vehicle. Pressure wash, reseal with wax.
If nothing else I’ll do a few experiments for the coming winter.

 

[Bad Habit]

What was that stuff that Clark Griswald developed...

 

[Lynden]

Research the idea of painting the roof a dark color so when the sun comes out the snow will be more likely to slide.

 

[Burl]

What about spraying it with cheap clearcoat? You can pick it up at larger swapmeets for around $50 or so a gallon.

 

[like2wheel]

What was that stuff that Clark Griswald developed...

"non-chloric, silicon-based kitchen lubricant"





Next answer has to be FLUID FILM!

 

[mark#3]

I wonder if waxing the roof would make the snow slide?Of course the old way was using a snow rake to get snow off the roof

 

[NUTTSGT]

What was that stuff that Clark Griswald developed...

I thought that also but a case of Pam might work.



EDIT:

 

[Toxictom]

The snow removal guys where I work used to use a product called "Slide". They'd spray the inside of the dump trucks used to haul snow so it would slide out easier. I have no idea where to find it.

 

[Alchase]

This may sound funny, but I saw this in Mazama WA where they get a substantial amount of snow all winter, and it seemed to be a popular way to get snow off the roof. They would attach a rope or nylon strap to the ridge, and after a good snow, they would go out and pull the rope/strap to either side, causing the snow to slide down off the roof.
I thought it was a simple, cheap, and ingenious way to control snow load.

 

[Marctrees]

What about that "Fluid Film" Guys here talk about ??

Marc

 

[Showkey]

2/12 pitch.........not much sliding happening with that, no matter the surface treatment. 2/12 and melting your going to asking about ice dam water leaking.


Also be careful what you ask for when it comes to snow and ice slides..........

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/snow-overhangs-dangerously-roof-house-melting-1222913410


Foot or two of snow is no big deal.........moving it often causes more damage than it prevents.
Decent insulation and air flow.......minimizes ice dams as well.

 

[SGKent]

hope there are no gutters... . and heaven help the poor soul who steps on a waxed portion of the roof.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I know of one ski area that used to use Detonation Chord to do it...