Snow + Carport = Tears (Final Installment:Updated 4/16/10)
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From: Baltimore, MD
Snow + Carport = Tears (Final Installment:Updated 4/16/10)
I actually shed a couple of tears this morning because of the story that will follow.
In the mid-atlantic we are currently getting one of the biggest snow storms to ever hit the area. My dad and I built a carport two summers ago, which was big enough to house my parents cars'. With the anticipation of all this snow we moved the pre-existing fence that was under the carport back about 4 feet, allowing the extra space to fit all 3 of the family cars under. A 2007 Nissan Altima, a 2008 Pontiac Solstice, and my 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible.
The snow started falling yesterday around noon, and got heavier as the night went on. By 11pm we had about 6" on the ground. We all headed to bed around this time. As I was laying in bed watching TV I heard a gigantic crash. I opened my door to see the door to the spare room had shut due to a pressure shift. I went into the attic to investigate and when the roof was in tact, I just blamed the sound and pressure shift as an avalanche of snow falling off the roof.
When I awoke this morning I told my parents about the crash, and they said they didn't hear anything last night. We went about our morning, and later my dad looked out one of the windows only to let out a series of obscenities. I ran over to look out also, to find that our carport was no longer standing 25ft at the peak, but rather closer to 6 or 7 ft. It collapsed from the weight of the snow. All three cars were supporting the 3500lb+ structure that fell from almost 20 feet up.
Now, for some pictures, these should probably carry a rating of PG-13, at least for MINI lovers.
~~EASIER NAVIGATION TO PHOTO UPDATES~~
Dig out begins on Post 43.
Half way uncovered begins on Post 52.
Final photos begin on Post 60.
In the mid-atlantic we are currently getting one of the biggest snow storms to ever hit the area. My dad and I built a carport two summers ago, which was big enough to house my parents cars'. With the anticipation of all this snow we moved the pre-existing fence that was under the carport back about 4 feet, allowing the extra space to fit all 3 of the family cars under. A 2007 Nissan Altima, a 2008 Pontiac Solstice, and my 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible.
The snow started falling yesterday around noon, and got heavier as the night went on. By 11pm we had about 6" on the ground. We all headed to bed around this time. As I was laying in bed watching TV I heard a gigantic crash. I opened my door to see the door to the spare room had shut due to a pressure shift. I went into the attic to investigate and when the roof was in tact, I just blamed the sound and pressure shift as an avalanche of snow falling off the roof.
When I awoke this morning I told my parents about the crash, and they said they didn't hear anything last night. We went about our morning, and later my dad looked out one of the windows only to let out a series of obscenities. I ran over to look out also, to find that our carport was no longer standing 25ft at the peak, but rather closer to 6 or 7 ft. It collapsed from the weight of the snow. All three cars were supporting the 3500lb+ structure that fell from almost 20 feet up.
Now, for some pictures, these should probably carry a rating of PG-13, at least for MINI lovers.
~~EASIER NAVIGATION TO PHOTO UPDATES~~
Dig out begins on Post 43.
Half way uncovered begins on Post 52.
Final photos begin on Post 60.
Last edited by Jeremy1026; Feb 9, 2010 at 09:52 AM.
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From: Baltimore, MD
Only know what we can see in the pictures. It's still snowing, up to about 25" right now. Nothing is open, and we have no way of getting the structure off.
That's awful to see and like others I hope the damage isn't as bad as it looks. 
my heart sank after seeing those pics... I'm soooo sorry...I hope everything works out for you... We are here for support...
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Really sorry to see this happened.
I'm sure that as long as all permits were pulled, and inspections were done on the structure, insurance should not be an issue. Most local building codes will exceed roof snow loads well above normal snow fall amounts.
Mark
I'm sure that as long as all permits were pulled, and inspections were done on the structure, insurance should not be an issue. Most local building codes will exceed roof snow loads well above normal snow fall amounts.
Mark
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Sorry to hear about this and I hope your insurance company comes through for you in your time of need.
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Mark
I have heard some horror stories in the past concerning other MINI's and this is right up there. Terrible news. Here's hoping that the weight was distributed somewhat evenly to the lower eves.
Are you sure the roof weighed almost 2 tons. Seems a bit heavy for just a 3 car - car port.
Once you can clear some snow, and make sure area is clear of power lines ect,. I would nail up some support frames where needed, and start disecting the new non-load bearing parts away with chain saws. As you work, shore up areas as needed. Sort of like searching through collapsed houses.
If you get to a point where you can almost get them out, you can always let the air out of the tires to get some more clearance.
Are you sure the roof weighed almost 2 tons. Seems a bit heavy for just a 3 car - car port.
Once you can clear some snow, and make sure area is clear of power lines ect,. I would nail up some support frames where needed, and start disecting the new non-load bearing parts away with chain saws. As you work, shore up areas as needed. Sort of like searching through collapsed houses.
If you get to a point where you can almost get them out, you can always let the air out of the tires to get some more clearance.
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What about auto insurance? Would that cover it?
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Yeah, it probably is up in that range, especially when you factor in the weight of 25" of wet snow. We built it with the intention of closing it in, turning it into a garage at a later point. It was about 20ft wide by 25ft long. Full wood structure with shingled roof.
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http://www.aragriculture.org/disaste...cumulation.pdf
Ken Hellevang from the University of North Dakota says, "The weight of snow varies greatly. Light fluffy snow may only weigh about seven pounds per cubic foot. More average snow may weigh 15 pounds per cubic foot and drifted compacted snow may weigh 20 pounds or more..."
Source: http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/coping/snowload.htm
So if it was a flat roof, the area would be 500 sq.ft. 1 foot of snow on that area, using the least weight from the above quote would weigh 3500 lbs.
Sounds like this is not a flat roof, so area increases with slope, there is more than a foot of snow on the roof, and is not likely dry and fluffy, so 2 tons of weight is probably low.
Mark
Ken Hellevang from the University of North Dakota says, "The weight of snow varies greatly. Light fluffy snow may only weigh about seven pounds per cubic foot. More average snow may weigh 15 pounds per cubic foot and drifted compacted snow may weigh 20 pounds or more..."
Source: http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/coping/snowload.htm
So if it was a flat roof, the area would be 500 sq.ft. 1 foot of snow on that area, using the least weight from the above quote would weigh 3500 lbs.
Sounds like this is not a flat roof, so area increases with slope, there is more than a foot of snow on the roof, and is not likely dry and fluffy, so 2 tons of weight is probably low.
Mark
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Extracting those cars from under that structure is not going to be easy, and has the potential of being VERY dangerous.
Jeremy, I would suggest using extreme caution going under that structure. Getting as much support material handy before you venture under it would be wise. Building temp. stud walls that can help shoring it up would be a good idea. I would do this before trying to remove any snow. One way to remove the snow, without having to get on the roof, is to buy or make a roof rake.
You still need to use caution, as by removing the snow, you will be introducing live loads, and it is very hard to determine what these loads will do.
Take it slow, plan things out, and be safe.
Mark
Jeremy, I would suggest using extreme caution going under that structure. Getting as much support material handy before you venture under it would be wise. Building temp. stud walls that can help shoring it up would be a good idea. I would do this before trying to remove any snow. One way to remove the snow, without having to get on the roof, is to buy or make a roof rake.
You still need to use caution, as by removing the snow, you will be introducing live loads, and it is very hard to determine what these loads will do.
Take it slow, plan things out, and be safe.
Mark
