With winter coming up, you may be thinking about preparing for severe weather. If you have a pole barn, or if you plan to build one in the coming months, the design of the roof and the way you care for it will be critical to protect the pole barn from damage caused by winter weather.
Design and Build a Pole Barn with Winter Weather in Mind
If you plan to construct a pole barn, it is important to design and build it to stand up to severe winter weather, including heavy snowfall and strong winds. Local building codes set minimum requirements, but you may want to go above and beyond them to make sure that your pole barn and whatever you store inside it will be protected from snow and fierce winter wind gusts. For example, attaching roof trusses directly to columns, securely anchoring the roof to the rest of the structure, and using ridge caps, gables, and hips can protect the building from strong winds.
Prevent Ice Dams from Forming
Ice dams are a common problem on all types of buildings in the winter. They form when ice and snow in the center of a roof melt and water runs down the roof and refreezes in colder areas, such as the eaves and gutters. Ice can gradually build up and cause damage to the roof, gutters, and siding.
Ice and snow in the middle of the roof can melt when warmer air from inside the structure is able to escape. Insulation and ventilation can prevent the center of the roof from warming, keep the outside of the roof at a consistent temperature, and prevent ice dams.
Remove Snow from the Roof
If snow accumulates on a roof, it can add hundreds or thousands of pounds of weight to the building. That can strain the roof and cause structural damage. Snow can also slide off the roof and damage the building, nearby vehicles, and the surrounding area and can injure any people who happen to be nearby. Using a roof rake to remove some snow from a pole barn can prevent these problems.
Take Care of Your Pole Barn to Protect It from Winter Weather
It’s important to inspect and maintain your pole barn throughout the year. It’s much easier and cheaper to repair an issue early than to miss it or ignore it and then try to fix major damage later.
Get a Quote for a New Pole Barn
CHA Pole Barns has designed and built pole barns for a variety of environments. We can discuss weather patterns in your area and how we can reinforce the roof to protect it from winter conditions. Contact us today to discuss pole barn designs and to get an estimate.