If you're in Texas the equation of snow and ice are rarity when it comes to weather. When planning for builds like carports, decks, and patio covers some cut corners when it comes to weight bearing. With the recent wave of snow and ice it is time to inspect your structure. And here is why.

The Weight of the Matter

With individual flakes floating through the air so slowly, it’s easy to think that snow is very light. But the weight of each flake adds up quickly when you’re dealing with the accumulation of more than an inch or less. Snow weighs 20 lbs per cubic foot on average, which results in 1.25 lbs of force per inch of depth over a square foot. If you have a metal carport with 200 square feet of roof space and two inches of accumulated snow, you could be dealing with 500 lbs or more of snow on the roof. The weight of snow varies depending on the shape and style of the snowflakes, so the weight of the same depth of snow can vary between storms.

Complete And Partial Collapses

With all that weight accumulating on the roof, metal carports can suddenly collapse at any time, even after hours or days of standing under the weight. Some carports will only partially collapse, leaving just one corner crumpled or the supports bent without completely dropping the roof. In worse cases, the carport will completely collapse and may crush anything stored in or underneath it. Many homeowners have lost family heirlooms, collectible vehicles, or farm equipment after their carport collapsed due to snow loading.

Damaged Property And Liability

Don’t assume the metal carport supplier or home insurance company will automatically pay for the damages either. In many cases across the country, homeowners have gone to court only to find out they are completely liable for the damages themselves due to having chosen and installed the particular design. Unless the manufacturer in some way misrepresents the strength of their designs, you’re the one who must decide if they’re strong enough to handle local snow conditions. Home insurance companies often exclude these structures since they’re separate from the home and usually installed after it’s built rather than during the initial construction. If your metal carport collapses and affects a neighbor’s property or causes an injury, you could be held liable and end up paying out-of-pocket for the repairs or medical bills.

Protect Your Property

With all that being said and the snow and ice gone for a while we presume, we are not out of the woods yet. No, I'm not predicting another snowstorm. What I am presenting is the need to get your structure inspected. KBG Welding is offering free inspections of your metal structures. Even if your structure did not suffer a collapse like the one pictured above (one we will be repairing this week), the integrity of your steel could be compromised. After inspecting the remaining carports on the property pictured we found a lot of compromise from twisted perlins to broken welds. We are concerned about your safety. If you are a property owner, an apartment manager or restaurant manager, every day that passes is a crap shoot if you are not sure that your structures did not suffer hidden damage.

KBG Welding holds 17 certifications in different applications of welding, most of which are structural steel certifications. This service is free. Call today or set an appointment on our website, KBGwelding.com.