There is nothing cozier that being bundled up in your home as you watch the snow fall outside. When you’re cozy, it’s hard to think about going outside to deal with the snow. One thing that many homeowners don’t give much thought to is the the weight of the snow on their roof and what that means to their house. There are many roofs that struggle with the weight of the snow, but how do you know if the snow is too much for your roof or not? Nickerson Roofing is here to talk about how you can calculate the snow load on your roof so that you can take action when it’s needed.
How Much Weight of Snow Can a Roof Hold?
It’s important to remember that not all roofs can handle the same amount of snow on them. There are some older roofs that might struggle with snow each winter. Some roofs have a steeper pitch which can be helpful in keeping the snow from becoming a big problem, but even then, gutters that are clogged and other factors can make it a problem. If you have a roof that doesn’t have a steep pitch and is older, a snowstorm that accumulates a significant amount of snow can be problematic.
Different Types of Snow Storms
Another thing to think about is the kind of snowstorm you’re getting. Not all snowstorms are going to be the same as far as how much the snow weighs. If you have drier, fluffier snow, it can weight up to 5 pounds a foot. However, if the snow is on the wetter side, you are looking at as much as 20 pounds per foot. When it comes to calculating the snow load on your roof, it’s a safe assumption that each inch of snow is going to weight about 1.25 pounds.
How Do I Know if I Have Too Much Snow on My Roof?
There are several signs that might be present when you have a roof that is struggling with a load of snow on top of it. Here are some of the signs that homeowners should be watching for:
– Sagging ceiling tiles or boards
– Loud popping, cracking or creaking noises
– Cracks in the walls or masonry on your house
– Leaking roof
– Interior doors that can no longer open or close
How to Safely Remove Snow from Your Roof
Removing snow from your roof can be a slippery situation that lead to serious injury and even death. It is important to call on a team of professionals anytime you are attempting to remove snow from your roof. When you leave it up to the pros, you can rest easy knowing that your roof is safe from damage and so is your body.
Steel Gutter Installation, Roof Repair, Replacement & More in Truckee, Mystic, Tahoe City, Kings Beach & The North Lake Tahoe Basin of California
If you need snow removal for your roof, you can turn to Nickerson Roofing. We can also help you with permanent solutions to keep snow off your roof moving forward. Call us today!
