As winter continues, many people are beginning to become concerned with the large amount of snow that is accumulating on their roof. Depending on how much snow you have experienced in your region, you may want to take a look at your roof to see how much snow is really up there. Most roofs should be able to withstand 20 lbs of snow per square foot before it becomes too strained.
So how much snow is too much?
- 10-12 inches of new snow is equivalent to about 5 lbs per square foot on your roof.
- 3-5 inches of packed snow is equivalent to about 5 lbs per square foot on your roof.
- When the snow starts accumulating with old snow and fresh snow, it might be too much weight for your roof to sustain.
- When this large amount of snow starts to melt is can cause problems to insulation, attics, gutters, and it can rot your roof.
- Look for severe roof leaks, bowed pipes, and doors that are hard to open as signs that you may have too much snow on your roof.
In order to protect your roof and your home you should definitely have the snow removed if it looks like its becoming an issue. Whatever you do, do not climb up on the roof and try to remove the snow yourself. You could easily slip and fall or cause more damage to your roof. The best solution to remove the snow is to buy a roof rake. Roof rakes are generally inexpensive and allow you to safely remove the snow while standing on the ground. There are also professionals that can come to your home and remove the snow for you if you don’t have the time.
Now, head outside and take a look at your roof. Does it seem like you have a larger amount of snow up there? If so you should take action and have the snow removed before you have a bigger problem on your hands.