While Southeastern Philadelphia doesn’t frequently get heavy snow, it does happen occasionally. What many people don’t know is that snow accumulation on your roof can be dangerous. 

It’s essential to understand the risks associated with snow on your roof and home so you can make an intelligent decision about whether to remove snow from your roof.  

Risks of Snow Accumulation

• Weight on the Roof
  • Heavy snow can exceed the roof’s weight capacity. This is unlikely for a few inches, but a foot of snow can add 6,000 pounds to your roof. That’s the equivalent of parking a pickup truck up there. 
  • The strain of snow on your roof can eventually cause structural damage or collapse, especially for older roofs and older homes.
• Ice Dams
  • Ice dams form when warm air from your attic causes snow on your roof to melt, only for the water to refreeze at the colder edges. This creates a barrier that traps additional melting snow, potentially forcing water under your shingles and into your home. Ice dams can lead to leaks, structural damage, and costly repairs if not addressed promptly. Proper insulation, ventilation, and snow removal are key to preventing them.
• Leaks and Moisture Damage
  • Melting snow can infiltrate cracks and lead to water damage. This can cause mold, mildew, and rot in your attic and walls. It’s always important to address roof leaks as soon as possible to avoid damage to the interior of your home. 

Factors That Determine If You Need to Remove Snow

• Local Snowfall and Climate
  • The greater Philadelphia area receives about 19 inches of snow per year. When this occurs over multiple snowfalls, it’s not a tremendous risk. However, when a significant snowfall occurs, there may be a problem. 
  • The longer snow stays on your roof, the more likely it will be a problem. Most of the time, temperatures in the Philadelphia area hover around or just above freezing, allowing the sun to help naturally remove the snow from the area. 
• Condition of Your Roof

A healthy roofing system should be able to handle some snow. 

How to Safely Remove Snow from Your Roof

• When Should You Remove Snow?
  • As a general benchmark, snow should be removed from your roof if it exceeds 12 inches in depth or if the snow is particularly wet and heavy. Wet snow is much denser than dry, powdery snow, and even a few inches can add significant weight to your roof.
  • If your roof is struggling under the weight of snow, you may notice creaking or popping noises, sagging in the roofline or ceilings, water leaks, or stains inside your home. Cracks in walls or ceilings and difficulty opening doors or windows can also be signs of structural stress. If these issues arise, addressing them promptly is crucial to prevent significant damage.
• DIY Roof Snow Removal
  • To safely remove snow from your roof, several tools are available to make the process easier and minimize damage. A roof rake is a popular choice, allowing you to pull snow off sloped roofs while remaining safely on the ground. Telescoping snow brooms with soft foam heads are another effective option, helping to push snow off without harming shingles. For preventative measures, snow removal systems like heated cables or mats can melt snow before it accumulates.
  • Avoid damage and personal injury. Ice, snow, and ladders can be a dangerous mix. Use extreme caution if you are planning on climbing up on your roof to shovel snow. 
  • Roof rakes and shovels can also remove the granules on your shingles. Use caution not to lift or scrape against the shingles.
  • If you are seeing (or hearing) signs of damage, do not venture onto your roof without the proper safety equipment. You could fall through!

Preventing Snow-Related Roof Issues

• Improve Insulation and Ventilation
  • Proper insulation and ventilation are critical for preventing ice dams. Insulation keeps warm air inside your home, reducing the heat transfer that can cause snow on your roof to melt and refreeze at the edges. Ventilation helps regulate attic temperature by allowing cool air to circulate, preventing uneven heating that leads to ice dam formation. Together, these measures protect your roof and prevent costly water damage.
• Schedule Regular Roof Evaluation
  • A professional roof evaluation before winter is essential for identifying vulnerabilities such as loose shingles, poor insulation, or blocked vents. Addressing these issues early can strengthen your roof’s resistance to snow and ice, reducing the risk of leaks, structural damage, and other winter-related problems.
• Invest in Snow Guards
  • Snow guards are an excellent investment for homes with metal or steep roofs. They prevent large amounts of snow from sliding off suddenly, which can cause damage to your property or injury. By evenly dispersing snow as it melts, snow guards protect both your roof and anyone nearby during winter months.

Common Myths About Snow on Roofs

• Myth: Snow Insulates Your Home
  • While it’s true that snow can act as a natural insulator to some extent, this benefit depends on the type and amount of snow. Light, fluffy snow traps air, which may provide minimal insulation, but wet, compacted snow has little insulating value. Additionally, relying on snow for insulation can mask underlying issues like poor attic insulation, which could lead to ice dams and increased energy costs. A properly insulated home is a far more reliable way to retain heat.
• Myth: All Roofs Are Designed to Handle Snow
  • Not all roofs are built to withstand the heavy weight of snow, especially older roofs or those in regions with historically mild winters. Roofs have specific load capacities, and excessive snow can exceed those limits, leading to structural stress or collapse. Flat roofs and roofs with shallow slopes are particularly vulnerable to snow buildup. Knowing your roof’s capacity and condition is essential to preventing damage during heavy snowfall.

Snow Laying On Your Roof

If you’ve had snow sitting on your roof for a long period of time and if it’s heavy snow, you may want to consider removing it. Otherwise, you can wait for mother nature to remove it for you. 

More roofing maintenance tips to keep your roof ready for snow and sleat.

Did you know that we can install a roof all year long? Learn more about roofing installations in the winter. If you do discover a leak, ice dam, or other damage to your roof, be sure to reach out to us as soon as possible so that we can stop the issue before it spreads. Our repair team will have your roof fixed without delay. Contact us today!