[–] blumen4alles 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I doubt it, that adds quite a bit of complication, but an interesting idea nonetheless. To me it looks like a purely mechanical device, no heat being used. It relies on the thin sides slicing through (which as others said wouldn't work on packed snow) and there might be a coating on the sheet of plastic to make it slick.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago (edited ago)
[–] blumen4alles 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I think there are small wheels on each corner so it doesn't scrape, but you are right if those shingles are not laying perfectly flat, if it catches even just a little bit...
[–] WhiteRonin 0 points 6 points 6 points (+6|-0) ago
Brilliant!
But this is good for fresh snow, I doubt that using this after ice has formed it’ll be much good.
[–] WeekendBaker 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
Ounce of prevention, etc
[–] misterpoopybutthole 0 points 8 points 8 points (+8|-0) ago (edited ago)
Used one of those during last winter. Had to fix it after every third pull.
[–] blumen4alles ago
Can you give us a mfg/model name or link? What part did you have to fix?
[–] VicariousJambi 1 point -1 points 0 points (+0|-1) ago
I think he just means he had to make sure the sheet was properly laid out after every third pull, not that it fell apart.
[–] misterpoopybutthole 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
cant give you a model or a link as it wasn't mine(nor was the roof). It was the telescopic rod that kept breaking because it was made out of some cheap ass metal and the snow on the roof had hardened a bit because of spring.
edit: The rod was made out of several pipes and each end had to be tightened by this plastic part that you twist. When it broke the top end stayed on the roof and I had to climb up to drop it down. The ladders were icy as fuck. tl;dr dont buy a telescopic one
[–] TeranNotTerran 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
That snow is a great insulator, but bad if the roof is not watertight, or if it collapses on someone. I wonder if there are roofs designed with "snow catches", maybe also like a rain channel. So maybe three feet perpendicular from the roof sticking out, in theory good for holding back three feet of snow.
[–] TheAntiZealot ago
My thoughts, exactly.