[MassHistPres] Slate Roofs and Insurance Issues

[Garrett Laws]

Sam,
I agree with your approach!

My favored snow guards for residential applications are MJ Mullane #100 on
pg 8 of the following link. they sit low to the roof and break up most
heavier masses before they leave the roof. They are made to be retro fit to
existing slate and can be installed with a new roof of any material.
Additionally, the #100 series have a cast brass piece that will take years
of snow pushing it around and keep the base snow intact.

http://www.bergerbuildingproducts.com/pdfs/catalog_snowguards.pdf

Garrett

On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 4:24 PM, Sam Bird
<greenbird-architect at comcast.net>wrote:

> I won't advise on the legal issues here but my practical sense is that
> asphalt shingles, under the right conditions, will also shed snow and ice.
> Snow guards (http://www.snowguards.com/?gclid=CMTcuqyB1psCFcZM5QodkUPhLA)
>  are easily retrofitted to slate and the ultimate solution would be a snow
> fence at the eave - however that involves a bit more
> work. To show my professional bias,  I would suggest spending money on architecture rather than lawyers. I
> would think that if the homeowner takes accepted measures to mitigate the
> problem per construction "best practices" that would go a long way toward
> defusing a claim should some extraordinary meteorological event happen and
> snow fall off the roof despite the guards - but that's the legal part and
> only my guess. He clearly can't at this point "do nothing" having been put
> on notice.
> Samuel Bird AIA, LEED AP
> Concord HDC
>
>
> On Jul 14, 2009, at 3:39 PM, Kristi Chase wrote:
>
> I have received a call from a homeowner whose neighbor would like him to
> remove his Munson slate roof because it sheds snow where the neighbor parks
> his car.  The property is not listed as an LHD but retains much of its
> original character.  The homeowner has received a threatening letter from
> the neighbor's insurance company stating that he is liable for any damage
> done to the neighbor or his car and requesting that he replace the roof with
> asphalt.  Does anyone have the names of lawyers who might deal with this
> type of issue or have any advice I can pass on?
>
> Thanks to all,
>
> Kristi Chase
>
> Preservation Planner
> Historic Preservation Commission
> Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development
> City Hall
> 93 Highland Avenue
> Somerville, MA  02143
>
> 617-625-6600 x2525
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-- 
Cheers,
Garrett

Garrett Laws, Manager
The Copper & Slate Company
Fine Roofing and Exterior Finish Carpentry
238A Calvary Street
Waltham, MA 02453
Ph: (781) 893-1916
Fax: (781) 893-2041

Copperandslate at Gmail.com or
GLaws at hbuilders.net
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