FAQ

SnoBlox-SnoJax is a water-clear polycarbonate snow guard that sits in the flat part of a metal roofing panel. It holds snow and ice in place until they can melt off gradually and safely. These guards provide ultimate protection for pedestrians and prevent property damage caused by sliding snow and ice. Polycarbonates like Lexan® are UV-stabilized and virtually unaffected by weather.

The plastic snow guard came about in 1976 when Jack McMullen received negative feedback on metal snow guards in his own metal building business. In addition to getting brittle and breaking in the cold, most of the metal guards of that time were causing severe dissimilar metal reactions that eroded the metal panel finish. In these cases, the conductive liquid or electrolyte was rainwater. During evaporation, water becomes concentrated and more conductive, causing the initially benign water to create a dynamic galvanic effect, which causes rust. This phenomenon typically begins to occur when water gets trapped in a crevice, such as under a screw or between the base of a metal guard and the metal roof. Even water lying against the face of the metal guard and roof for an extended period can initiate deterioration. Painting the metal guards did not prove to be a reliable solution. Still, it did slow the galvanic reaction process down somewhat. We did find, however, that with the painted metal snow guards, the corrosion would usually begin to form around friction points and, in time, would continue to eat its way through the guard and panel.

Generally speaking, each location's metal guards sometimes showed different failures. However, we found that the greater the conductivity, the more severe the galvanic effects were. After further research, we also found that salt and industrial pollution significantly increased water conductivity, so galvanic effects were usually more severe near the coast or in heavily industrial areas. The solution to this problem was the invention of UV-stable Clear Lexan™ polycarbonate SNOJAX snow guards! This idea was unique; it earned a patent in 1978 as the first noncorrosive transparent snow retention device.

In conclusion, necessity became the mother of invention for three reasons:

1. If a metal snow guard contacts a dissimilar metal roof panel, a galvanic corrosive reaction (e.g., rust) can prematurely erode and stain the roof. With plastic guards, this galvanic does not happen.

2. In cold weather, metal guards (especially cheap castings) may become brittle, fracture, and break. Virgin Grade UV Stable High-Grade Polycarbonates do not become brittle in the cold.

3. Unsightly metal guards that protrude from the roof surface and do not blend into the skyline when looking up from the ground alter the cosmetic appearance of a metal roof. The same is true for painted color-matched guards. Clear snow guards blend well with the sky and roof.

"Don't risk ruining your beautiful metal roof with a non-compatible metal snow guard!"

Our policy is straightforward. We will match or beat any published or written Snow Guard price quote from an established, reputable snow guard company. The main requirement is to match Apples to Apples and not to Raisins. The competitor's snow guard must be of equal size to the product you are asking us to price match. The manufacturer must also use the same 100% Virgin Grade, UV stable, clear Lexan material to create these products as is used for our snow guards. We now have nine different sizes and styles of polycarbonate snow guards, so chances are we have just what you are looking for, which is in stock and ready to ship today. We offer the highest quality polycarbonate (plastic) snow guards with the longest proven track record! We have independently tested all our guards! Do not take chances on new, untested designs with prices too good to be true; choose to buy from the originators of the plastic snow guard. Cheap, inferior imitations will not undersell us! The price matching policy is only applicable to snow guards.

The height and shape of the face of a snow guard determine its ability to hold back layers of ice and snow. You must mount a snow guard in the lowest portion of a roofing panel where the snow and ice move. A flat, non-pointed surface should stand at least the height of the seam, creating a connected field to hold snow and ice stationary until it can melt off safely. On a standing seam floating type roof, you should only mount the snow guard with adhesive. This mounting method does not restrict floating metal roof panels' normal thermal expansion and contraction. It also provides a release feature that prevents panel damage and eliminates any potential impairment to the seams. The smooth edges of the SnoBlox-SnoJax reduce the likelihood of personal injury during installation and routine roof maintenance

The correct spacing of a snow guard system is as vital as the proper selection of materials for a building's design. We recommend all customers refer to the Snow Guard Spacing Charts in the above drop-down menu. The layout of each project depends on the roof pitch, panel runs from the ridge to the eave, panel widths/profiles, and the ground snow load for the building's location.

This matter is one of preference. Clear snow guards are far less noticeable on a roof than colored ones. A color-matched snow guard will act as a sundial and cast a shadow with the sun all day. Also, suppose the snow guard is not made of the same material as the roof, painted simultaneously with the same type of paint. In that case, the fading rate will be different, making the color-matched snow guards more noticeable over time.

Tapes have little or no UV stabilization and tend to roll underneath the snow guard when exposed to shear loads. In many years of marketing snow guards, we have never seen tapes last very long, so we consider this mounting method temporary. The adhesive properties of the tape change with outside UV exposure over time. Tapes have always been a temporary solution for mounting a snow guard in cold weather. We only recommend using SureBond SB-190 clear sealant adhesive for adhering to SnoBlox-SnoJax snow guards. Note: There is no long-lasting adhesive available for copper or lead-coated copper.

Using any builder's level placed downhill anywhere on the roof, measure 12 inches on a horizontal plane. Measure up from the roof surface to the 12-inch mark on the level. This number appears over 12 (i.e., 4/12). Congratulations—you have just measured the pitch of your roof. For more information, please refer to our pitch chart.

We market a VentSaver product for vent pipe and chimney protection. Protecting just a doorway is a tricky proposition. Even though we don't recommend it, retaining snow on partial roof sections in some areas where snow doesn't frequently freeze together is possible. In potentially cold climate areas with snow and ice accumulating and freezing for several days at a time, the disproportionate loading created extends well beyond the secluded location of guards. This imbalanced type of load is usually detrimental to any snow retention device. The general rule is that snow and ice guards should be equally staggered over the entire roof to distribute the loading uniformly. Most engineers agree that equal loading versus unequal loading on a building structure is better.

When used with our SnoBlox, SnoJax II & IceJax, the SureBond EverSeal SB-190 requires at least 672 hours (28 days) of cure time with temperatures of 50° Fahrenheit or above to adequately cure before being subject to a snow load. The curing process does not have to occur all at once; however, the glue must attain a cumulative total of at least 672 hours at 50° F. The cold weather will not ruin the adhesive. Instead, it enters a dormant stage until temperatures rise above 50° F. In many instances, the delay caused by cold weather can double or triple the 28-day curing period.

Since 1985, we have spent thousands of dollars testing tapes, sealants, and adhesives. In our opinion, the only adhesive that works is the SureBond SB-190. The only minor drawback is the specific time and temperature requirements that prevent wintertime installation. To our knowledge, no miracle "cold weather" adhesives, tapes, or sealants work. Although we are the biggest fans of the SureBond brand of products, we feel obligated to caution against using what several competitors are touting as the "New Cold Weather Adhesive" called SureBond EverFlex Bondaprene 1800. Ask for their professional snow guard testing results and project references for this new product, and you will see what we mean!

If considering an adhesive tape method of bonding, "Buyer Beware"! We encourage you to read the installation instructions carefully. In addition to thoroughly cleaning the panel surface, a harsh primer is recommended before applying the tape. They also recommend sealing the guard's perimeter with a bead of the SB-190 or a privately labeled brand of SB-190. The result: 6 months after the sun's UV rays disintegrate the tape, the only thing that may hold the guard to the panel is the bead of SB-190. In conclusion, we feel the tape gimmick is a smoke-and-mirror tactic that some manufacturers offer for a quick or cold-weather adhesive application.

Snow Guard installation is a reasonably straightforward process. See our installation page for details on the three easy steps. Unless you are familiar with walking on steel roofs, we recommend finding an experienced local metal roofing contractor. Since we are the manufacturer, we do not install snow guards or make specific contractor recommendations. Suppose you decide to tackle the job yourself. In that case, investing in shoes specifically for walking on roofs, such as Cougar Paw shoes, may be worthwhile, as seen at www.cougarpaws.com. Another excellent tool for installing snow guards is the RidgePro Roof Ridge Anchor. IceBlox Inc. d.b.a. SnoBlox- Snojax does not assume liability for the installation process or product recommendations.

Please call your local zoning office or county building inspector. Your local building supply store or lumber yard may also know the local snow load values.

SureBond SB-190 is the only adhesive recommended by SnoBlox-SnoJax. Achieving a complete cure requires 28 days (672 Hours) at 50 Degrees (F) or above. Temperatures below 40 Degrees (F) will delay the cure time until temperatures reach 50 Degrees (F) or above to cure completely. The user must always determine the suitability of the products for their intended use, as we do not stand behind the attachment method for our snow retention systems due to the lack of control over workmanship. We also recommend using a manufacturer spacing layout for the appropriate placement of the snow guards for maximum protection, assured satisfaction, and validation of the warranty.

Glue-Down Applications: A chemical reaction occurs between the plastic and the solvent base of the SB-190. Over 28 days, the SB-190 chemically welds itself to the polycarbonate snow guard. Not all plastics can withstand this type of chemical welding without losing integrity. Still, after 22 years of selling the SB-190 product, we have found that it does not affect our high-quality polycarbonate. Visit our test results page to see the holding power of the SB-190 on our snow guards.

Screw Down Applications: We do not recommend SureBond SB-190 as a sealant for use with mechanically fastened snow guards. Though we have never experienced a snow guard failure as a result of using the SB-190 in conjunction with screws, we have experienced minor crazing around the screw holes after 30 days. The crazing is usually more evident when using the SB-190 as a sealant when screwing down the snow guards into a steel purlin rather than a wood purlin. As our installation instructions mentioned, a screw-down application of snow guards should have 100 percent clear silicone or equal, uniformly covering the entire underside before placement. The screws

The attachment method is the biggest concern with all membrane roof systems, so the answer depends on whether you decide to screw-fasten the snow guard system over the top of the membrane and secure it into the structural support below. Our screw-down polycarbonate snow guard systems are an excellent choice if using a mechanical attachment method.

We strongly advise against using adhesives to attach snow guards on membrane roofs. Excessive shear loading from snow and ice weight could cause the roofing membrane to fail prematurely. We now offer a bar system solution for membrane and TPO roofs. Please call for more information.