Much like Connecticut, Massachusetts was hit with several feet of snow in January and December, and as a result, many homes, businesses, and portable shelters in the state are caving in or collapsing from the weight of accumulation. With as much as two feet of snow on a roof, structures in Massachusetts cannot hold up to the weight, and more than 90 buildings – not including carports – have caved in so far. To prevent a damaged roof or a building from collapsing or caving in, the iBerkshires.com piece above and the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security have some tips for cleaning the roof of your home, carport, or commercial building:
• Remove snow immediately after a storm. Snow buildup is particularly harmful for flat rooftops and “shell” or pre-engineered structures built to the minimum standards of 40 pounds per square foot.
• If you suspect “abnormalities,” contact 911.
• Contact a professional snow removal service.
• Remove the accumulation with a snow rake, preferably a plastic one.
• Remove the snow from the edge of the roof inward, and only take a few inches off at a time.
• Be careful of power lines and using metal tools.
• When removing the snow, have it go away from the building.
• Remove icicles as well.
• Wear protective gear, such as a safety helmet and goggles, in case of falls.
• Have another individual outside with you in case of a fall or other injury.
• Keep gutters and drains clear.
• Do not put your own weight or the weight of tools directly on the roof.
• Do not use a ladder against the roof.
• Do not use a heated device to remove the snow.

Some carports are designed for heavy snowfalls, rain, and winds, such as this rounded roof portable garage by Shelterlogic on Canopy Hut. Even if you don’t have this particular rounded design, peaked roof structures are designed to withstand snowfall, wind, and rain. Of course, these strengths for a carport or portable garage only work when the shelter is installed and maintained properly. Those in warmer climates may not consider snow a factor in keeping up their portable shelter, but even wind and rain can damage a shelter, as we saw a couple of weeks ago.

With the threat of snow approaching, check how your carport or portable garage is secured in the ground. Ask yourself, “Does the shelter move?” or is it stable? If it isn’t secured at all or is only partially secure, the structure needs better anchorage, including any of these anchorage accessories from Shelters of America. Additionally, check how well the structure is held together. Are joints rusted? Does the roof have holes? For both of these instances, old and rusted joints or metal parts should be replaced and a polyethylene roof with holes should be patched.