Attention homeowners: winter is approaching, heavy snow loads are imminent!

Attention homeowners: winter is approaching, heavy snow loads are imminent!

Winter officially begins on December 1st, and the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district office is using this as an opportunity to urgently warn homeowners about the dangers of snow loads on roofs. This warning is reminiscent of the heavy snowfall in January 2019, which in many cases led to serious roof damage. Those responsible advise keeping an eye on the roofs during the cold season and starting clearing them in good time if there is a large amount of snow. In particular, older buildings built before 1976 are often at risk because snow load regulations were only introduced at that time. This affects many properties in the region that are potentially not designed for today's snowy conditions.

Like the information from LRA Garmisch-Partenkirchen show, it is crucial that homeowners know the maximum snow load on their roofs. Useful information can be found in the building's stability certificate. You should think about installing snow load scales in advance so that you can react to critical values ​​in a timely manner. It is important to know that the permissible snow load also depends on factors such as snow weight - 10 cm of powder snow weighs around 10 kg/m², while wet snow can weigh up to 40 kg/m² and a layer of ice can even weigh up to 90 kg/m².

Prevention and inspections

In order to avoid damage, the >Bavarian State Government[ StMB ] for homeowners to keep an eye on roof loads during snow warnings and severe weather. If there are any signs of overload - such as bowed beams, cracks in cladding or stuck doors - you should contact a specialist immediately. If the risk seems too great, it is advisable to hire professional clearance services. Specific safety precautions must be observed so as not to endanger the stability of the roof.

Regular inspections before winter are also very important. These should help identify weak points and damaged areas. Activities such as installing snow guard systems or heating systems to remove snow and ice can also help increase safety. Awareness of the dangers posed by snow and ice also plays a central role. Owners in particular should train themselves and their tenants on preventive measures in order to be able to react quickly in critical situations, as the expert from KGW construction recommended.

Responsibilities of homeowners

An important point that the district office makes clear is the responsibility of the homeowners: clearing the roofs is at their own discretion. This means that you should not only keep an eye on the safety of your own building, but also that of neighbors and passers-by. In the event of a disaster, the owners bear the consequences for any damage caused when the property is cleared by aid organizations or others. Insurance companies usually only contribute to the costs if private companies carry out the evacuation, which increases the risk even further in case of doubt.

Overall, forward-looking planning and responsibility are required to ensure your own safety and that of those around you. The upcoming winter months require a good hand from every homeowner. In addition, the signs of the times should be taken seriously, because the sooner you react, the better you can ward off possible dangers.