How much does ice weigh?
- Thread starter Salma
- Start date
Igor Galanter
Well-Known Member
20
Hey, Salma !
You have to search for a CUBIC foot.. That will show you more less accurate answers, eh...
What I found :
1 inch of snowfall on the roof weighs approximately one pound per square foot.
We’ve already established the water content of snow can range anywhere from 5% to 32%, which would mean 1” of snow ranges from .26 pounds per square foot (“PSF”) to 1.66 PSF. To find the average weight of the snow, add those numbers and divide by 2. We get an average of .96 lbs., which is mighty close to 1 pound. (However, you might note right away that especially wet or heavy snow can easily be closer to 2 pounds PSF—note the conditions outside, and use your common sense).
From that, you’ve got a handy formula you can use to determine approximately how many pounds of snow are on your roof: just multiply the inches of snow that have fallen by the square footage of your roof. That number is approximately the number of pounds of snow on your roof.
So, for example, if there are three inches of snowfall and you have a 1000 square foot roof, you’ve got 3,000 pounds of snow up there. Already, that’s like melting down a 2012 Toyota Prius (weighing in at 3042 pounds) into a slab of steel, and putting that slab on your roof.
Note: If you feel the snow on your roof is extremely wet and heavy, you could then multiply this total by 1.66 (for an absolute worst case scenario) – which in this case would equal 4,980 pounds.
You have to search for a CUBIC foot.. That will show you more less accurate answers, eh...
What I found :
1 inch of snowfall on the roof weighs approximately one pound per square foot.
We’ve already established the water content of snow can range anywhere from 5% to 32%, which would mean 1” of snow ranges from .26 pounds per square foot (“PSF”) to 1.66 PSF. To find the average weight of the snow, add those numbers and divide by 2. We get an average of .96 lbs., which is mighty close to 1 pound. (However, you might note right away that especially wet or heavy snow can easily be closer to 2 pounds PSF—note the conditions outside, and use your common sense).
From that, you’ve got a handy formula you can use to determine approximately how many pounds of snow are on your roof: just multiply the inches of snow that have fallen by the square footage of your roof. That number is approximately the number of pounds of snow on your roof.
So, for example, if there are three inches of snowfall and you have a 1000 square foot roof, you’ve got 3,000 pounds of snow up there. Already, that’s like melting down a 2012 Toyota Prius (weighing in at 3042 pounds) into a slab of steel, and putting that slab on your roof.
Note: If you feel the snow on your roof is extremely wet and heavy, you could then multiply this total by 1.66 (for an absolute worst case scenario) – which in this case would equal 4,980 pounds.
Last edited:
30
20
I also found this little tidbit: A one-inch layer of water or ice weighs approximately five pounds per square foot.
Back in the day, I used to be really good at math so..... square footage of trailer roof = l x w = 53 ft * 102 in (approx) = 53 ft * 8.5 ft = 450.5 sq ft
Therefore, assuming one inch of ice accumulation: 450.5 sq ft * 5 = 2252.5 lbs!!! Yikes!
My brain hurts.... how did I ever survive advanced calculus??
Back in the day, I used to be really good at math so..... square footage of trailer roof = l x w = 53 ft * 102 in (approx) = 53 ft * 8.5 ft = 450.5 sq ft
Therefore, assuming one inch of ice accumulation: 450.5 sq ft * 5 = 2252.5 lbs!!! Yikes!
My brain hurts.... how did I ever survive advanced calculus??
30
5 lbs per square foot 1 inch thick works out to about 60 lbs per cu. ft.. 2250 lbs for an ice sheet that covers the trailer sounds plausible..
20
I think it sounds about right as well.
Next question: how to get it off?!
The trailer has a translucent roof so the ice is pretty much stuck to it. I guess my driver will have to hit a few good potholes to shake it loose!
30
We had one inside for 3 days to melt a couple years ago. It takes forever.
30
Igor Galanter
Well-Known Member
20
20
What does it really matter how much it weighs ,it needs to come off the trailer before you go down the road. I thought there were insurance guy's on this forum
10
Selma, rent a 200, 000 BTU HEATER and put it in the trailer run it for an hour or two, that will loosen the ice from the translucent roof and it will slide off.