What are those things on the roof?

What are those things on that roof and why are they there?

Those little spikes on the roof are there to break up sheets of ice and snow that will be falling off the roof this season. If the ice comes down in one solid sheet, it is heavy and can damage property and hurt people.

It is less destructive if it gets broken up on the way down. The spikes break up the snow-ice sheet as it falls past them.

Older homes, especially homes with steep roof lines, will have these spikes to protect people and property. They are also commonly installed on metal roofs, even in new installations.

I found a website that explains all the different names that these spikes have acquired over the years.

Snow Cleats
Snow Stops
Snow Breaks
Snow Blocks
Snow Catchers
Gutter Guards

Without those snow blocks, roof snow can slide off in large, heavy, wet sheets and cause lots of damage. There are lots of videos of snow falling off roof surfaces with people scrambling and cars getting damaged.

While I am on the topic of snow coming off the roof, here’s another joy of urban living.

Roof surfaces are mostly asphalt. But, in the Boston area, we still see a lot of slate roof surfaces. If your neighbor has a slate roof and your houses are close together, you may hear a scary sound. When the snow falls off, it rubs against the slate shingles and it sounds like a mountain avalanche. Something to look forward to this winter.

Rain gutters and rain diverters

Most urban houses have rain gutters and downspouts. But, in more rural locations some owners forego having gutters. If there are a lot of trees around the house, gutters get clogged. Some owners don’t think they are worth the trouble.

For a house without rain gutters, the rain will come off the roof in sheets during heavy rain. This will not be a problem if the land around the house can be landscaped to keep that water from splashing onto the house. This is how it is done.

Today’s topic is “what are those things on the roof,” so back to that. If a house doesn’t have gutters, the rain will pour over the roof onto anyone going in or out of the doorway. What is the solution? A rain diverter.