A real winter has come to us, full of snowfall. During this period, owners of single-family houses must remember to regularlyclear the sidewalks ofsnow, not only for their own convenience, but also for the safety of passersby. Similarly, it is very importantremoving snow from roofsIt is worth doing it regularly so that the icicles formed over time do not endanger people. According to theregulations, the owner of the property is responsible for removing snow from sidewalks and roofs . Here are the rules andregulations for snow removalprivate property.
Snow removal from roofs and sidewalks next to properties is the responsibility of homeowners
Obligation to clear snow from the pavement
When a lot of snow falls, clear the area belonging to the house from snow. The law obliges property owners toclear snow from sidewalks on propertiesTherefore, you must remember to remove ice and snow from the sidewalks running along our property (even if the pavement itself does not belong to us), as well as from the gate and the yard.
- If we do not comply withsidewalk removal regulations , be aware that in the event of an accident, we will suffer all legal consequences. And so, if a passerby breaks his leg under our house, on an icy pavement, then we will have to pay him compensation, compensation and even a pension. If the owner does not comply with this obligation, the case may end in court - warns Wojciech Rutowicz, project manager of ES Polska.
Not everyone removes snow from under their homes on an ongoing basis, many people downplay this problem. This results in accidents and criminal consequences in the form of a fine. Therefore, it is advisable to followsnow removal regulationsIf the head of the city (mayor or city president) who is responsible for the supervision of snow removal, discovers any irregularities, he may issue a decision on the fulfillment of the obligation. Then the snow removal operation is performed at the expense of the property owner. - Remember that failure to perform the snow removal obligation is an offense. And there is a pen alty for them in the form of a fine from PLN 20 to PLN 5,000. Although the executive body may (the Police, Municipal Police or Municipal Police) charge us with a fine of up to PLN 500, it is possible that if the case goes to court, the amount of the fine will be multiplied - says Wojciech Rutowicz.
Roof snow removal should be performed regularly so that icicles do not form
Roof snow removal
The roof covered with a layer of snow looks very picturesque, but can be a serious threat to the inhabitants of the building. Most often,snow stays on flat roofs , from where it requires self-removal. Otherwise, during the thaw, it will turn into a much heavier and dangerous layer of ice that can seriously damage the structure of the building and, in extreme cases, lead to collapse.removing snow from sloping roofs , from which the white powder falls on its own, is less problematic. Nevertheless, during long-term rainfall, it is worth checking that snow does not accumulate at chimneys, joints of the roof slope (baskets) and between dormers. Winter is a real test of the tightness of our roof. If we have already supervised the works on laying the roofing, we can rest assured - the thermal insulation is safe.
- During a harsh winter, full of snowfall, we should clear the roof of snow. Obligation to remove snow from the roofresults from the construction law, which requires the building to be kept in a good technical condition, includingremoving snow and iciclesRemember that pen alties may be received not only owners of large construction facilities, but also owners of private single-family houses. Besides, it is not the legal sanctions that are the most important here, but our safety. Remember that each roof has its own strength, and when it is exceeded - it can collapse - warns Wojciech Rutowicz.
Appropriate tools are required to clear snow from roofs and sidewalks on properties
How to clear snow yourself from the pavement and roof
If we want to remove snow from the pavement in front of the house and the area around the property, let's prepare well for it. First of all, it is good to have a set of necessarytools for removing snow from pavementsIndispensable for shoveling snow is, of course, a snow shovel - preferably a metal one with a large spoon.Plastic snow shovels, often sold in stores for just a dozen zlotys, will not do this job well, although they also have their supporters (they are light, and plastic will not scratch the pavement or cobblestones). Sand is also necessary to sprinkle the cleaned pavement. You can use s alt thatdissolves snow and iceRemember, however, that it has a negative effect not only on our shoes, but also on plants. Therefore, you should not sprinkle s alt on lawns. It is also worth considering the use of slightly more expensive but also environmentally safe preparations for removing snow and ice, such as magnesium chloride or calcium chloride. The collected snow should be stored in a safe place, where it will not be in the way. When snow is falling all the time, only with small pauses, snow removal must be systematically repeated.
In order for theroof to meet the safety standardsand not to collapse, we should clear it after each snowfall. In this way, we will avoid the deposition of a thick and heavy snow layer on it.If, for some reason, we cannot entrustsnow removal from the roofto professionals, let's try to do it ourselves - with all precautions. Before starting work, let's assemble the necessary tools.
- Choose such toolsroof snow removal toolsthat will not damage the roof slope. In this case, a plastic shovel or a special wooden device for removing snow from the roof will work. Once the ladder is firmly in place and secured, work can begin. First, remove the snow from the places with the most of it, and then, from the inside, pull it towards the edge of the roof (preferably store it in one place). The most important thing is to relieve the roof of rainfall and clean the edges. It is worth leaving a thin layer of ice on the roof surface to counteract the build-up of new snow. First of all, you need to be careful when working. Under no circumstances should you step onto the snow on the roof - it may end in a tragedy.You cannot crush the ice on the roof, or try to shovel snow away from inaccessible places at all costs. Lack of imagination is a frequent cause of accidents, so clear snow carefully! - advises Wojciech Rutowicz.
