How Much Snow Can Your Roof Hold?

A Roof Covered in Snow

It’s that time in the roofing season no roofing company ever wants to see… snow snow snow! After the snowstorm hits, you take a step outside and see the snow sitting on your roof for multiple days and wonder what impact this is having on your roof. Although this can be concerning to many homeowners, roofs can hold their own when it comes to those heavy snowstorms.

It is important to know the two common types of snow you’re getting during that time of the storm, and this can be done through a visual outside look. Fluffy snow and wet snow are very common in Ohio winters. When you compare the light and heavy snow it is best to first know a rough estimate of roof age and pitch as that can move the numbers one way or the other for weight on the roof. Roofs in good condition hold approximately 20 to 30 pounds per square foot, which translates to that light-fluffy snow holding 4 feet where the heavy-packed snow is closer to 2 feet. Again, these are just estimated numbers based on the age and pitch of the roof.

Things to look for on those roofs that are older are sagging, bowing rooflines, warping, cracking sounds, creaking, new cracks in drywall or near windows and doors. You may also want to check for ice dams around the roof edges.

Unfortunately, we can’t prevent how much snow is going to come down and land on your roof, but the safest thing you can do is take a shovel or roof rake and remove as much snow as possible from roof edges while standing on the ground. Removing ice dams from the edges can also be done at this time. With that in mind you should never feel unsafe while doing these things. Should you find yourself feeling concerned about your roof, please feel free to reach out ot us here at Newman Roofing and we will be happy to answer any questions that you may have!