Winter roofing
How Much Snow Can a Roof Hold?
Snow is heavier than it looks. Here is how much weight a typical roof can take, how to tell when it is too much, and how to deal with it safely.
The short answer: If your roof has years left and the damage is in one area, repair it. If shingles are failing across the roof or the same leaks keep returning, a replacement saves money over time. We tell you which one applies, with photos.
The short answer
The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety estimates that a typical roof can handle about 20 pounds per square foot of added weight, according to guidance from the Maine Emergency Management Agency. Older roofs, or roofs with past problems, may handle less, and flat or low-pitched roofs are at the greatest risk.
Indianapolis averages about 25.5 inches of snow a year (National Weather Service, 1991-2020 normals), so most winters do not threaten a healthy roof. What changes the picture is the type of snow, how much has built up, and whether it has melted and refrozen.
How much snow weighs
The Maine Emergency Management Agency gives these rough figures per square foot of roof:
- Fresh snow: about 10 to 12 inches equals about 1 inch of water, or about 5 pounds per square foot.
- Packed snow: about 3 to 5 inches equals about 1 inch of water, or about 5 pounds per square foot.
- Ice: 1 inch is about 5 pounds per square foot, the same load as a foot of fresh snow.
The same source suggests that up to about 4 feet of fresh snow may be fine on a typical roof, but more than about 2 feet of packed snow could be too much. Two feet of old snow plus two feet of new snow could total about 60 pounds per square foot, which is more than a typical roof is rated to carry.
These are general figures, not engineering advice for your house. If you are worried about a specific roof, ask a structural engineer or a qualified contractor.
Warning signs of a roof under stress
Take these seriously and get the roof inspected:
- Sagging roof sections or ceilings
- Cracked or split wood, or bent or rippled supports
- Cracks in walls or ceilings
- Doors or windows that suddenly stick or pop open
- Creaking, cracking or popping sounds
- New or severe leaks
If you see signs of serious overload, leave the building and call for an inspection.
Should you remove snow from your roof?
Often you do not need to. Removing snow is dangerous, and doing it badly can damage shingles. But in a heavy buildup, especially on a flat or low-slope roof or an older roof, it may be worth having a professional do it. If you decide to remove snow yourself, the Maine guidance suggests:
- Use a snow rake from the ground, stand well back, and take snow off in small amounts from the edge.
- Leave a couple of inches of snow on the roof instead of scraping it to the shingles.
- Keep aluminum rakes away from power lines.
- Do not climb ladders on icy ground, and do not use heaters, heat guns or open flames to melt snow.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear so meltwater can drain.
Snow, ice dams and leaks
Heavy snow is only part of the winter story. When heat escapes from the house and warms the roof, snow melts, runs to the cold edge and refreezes into an ice dam. Water can back up under the shingles and leak into the house. See our guide to ice dams in Indiana and our roof ventilation and ice dam page.
If a leak appears, read roof leak in winter in Indiana: what to do right now, or contact us through our roof inspection page.
Sources
Snow load questions
How much snow is too much for a roof?
A typical roof is estimated to handle about 20 pounds per square foot of added weight. More than about 2 feet of packed snow, or a mix of old and new snow, may be too much, especially on older or flat roofs.
Is wet snow heavier than dry snow?
Yes. The more water in the snow, the more it weighs. Packed or wet snow is much heavier per inch than fresh, fluffy snow.
Should I shovel my roof?
Usually not unless the buildup is heavy or the roof shows signs of stress. Snow removal is dangerous, so consider hiring a professional.
Related:
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