I have a cabin in a high snow load area (32 feet last winter). I have a steel roof with a 6/12 pitch. Problem is that this year, the snow never slid until very late in the winter. My roof can handle 132 psf, but I worry that one of these days, the weight may exceed the truss design. I do not use the cabin in the winter and it is left unheated. I was thinking of running heat tape very near the peak, threaded through the trusses. Alternatively, could I insert a continuously running exhaust fan? From time to time, the temperature in the area goes above freezing. Which is the better solution, or are there any other that I haven’t thought of?

ballengerb1

Other than going with a 12/12 roof. Sorry, just could not pass up the opportunity. We only get 50" of snow and I did go with 12/12 to avoid problems. I'd ask a structural engineer who knows your area if the snow loads reach more than 100 psf. I don't think the heat tape will do much for your. It works great when wrapped tightly around a pipe but you won't even get contact with the underside of the steel roof. Here is an idea out of left field but its working for me, just need to have a phone line to make it work. I bought a special thermostat from the Ezra Group called a Talking Thermostat ($249). One of their products connects to a phone line and I can periodically call and turn the heat on/off/up/down all over the phone. If you knew you have a huge snow load you could call the cabin and turn on the heat for a day or two and then shut it down by phone. Just doing a little brain storming here but I hope I gave some something to think about. Others may join us on Tuesday with some other ideas.