How Much Snow On A Roof Is Too Much

These questions aren t quite so easy to answer because there are several variables.

How much snow on a roof is too much.

A snow rake with a long extension arm is recommended. The drifts on the roof were 5 feet deep. How much snow a roof can hold depends on the type of snow roofline and material among other considerations. How much snow is too much for a roof to handle.

Driving winds can change the depth of the snow and snow depth on the ground does not necessarily equate to the snow depth on a roof. Trying to work out whether the snow load is too much for your particular roof requires quite complicated maths. It may not just be one heavy snowfall that causes a problem but perhaps a collection of snowstorms. Last winter we had snow on the ground that was up to our hips.

Most roof designs can handle snow loads of 20 40 lbs per square foot. That means clearing amounts above 20 pounds per square foot. According to the national research council of canada a roof should be able to withstand pressure of at least 21 pounds per square foot psf this number can fluctuate based on regional building regulations but any well built roof should be able to sustain this much weight before it gets too stressed.