How Much Snow Can Your Roof Handle?

As winter approaches, you’re likely preparing your home for inclement weather and cold temperatures. That means blowing out your sprinklers, checking your HVAC system for proper heating functionality, and adding insulation where it makes sense. You might also wonder, “How much snow can my roof handle?”

It’s a popular question, especially for those in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Your roof is a critical part of your home, so the last thing you want is for snow to damage it.

Let’s take a closer look at how much snow your roof can handle and what you can do about it this winter.

How Snow Affects Your Roof

While a few inches of fresh snow may not cause issues for your roof, heavy snow can be problematic over time. Homeowners should be particularly mindful of the potential dangers of densely packed snow. If this snow remains on your roof for an extended period, it can eventually create a sagging roof or ice dams — or even cause your roof to collapse.

What’s the Maximum Amount of Snow Your Roof Can Handle?

The average roof can handle approximately 20 pounds of snow per square inch. If your roof carries a heavier weight, it can incur damage.

So, how can you tell if the snow on your roof is too much this winter? First, remember that 12 inches of fresh snow melts to about one inch of water and that most roofs can withstand up to 45 inches of fresh snow.

Since packed snow is heavier than fresh snow, a roof can handle about 20 inches of packed snow. One foot of snow is also the equivalent of one inch of ice.

How Much Snow Does Washington, DC, Maryland & Virginia Get?

Though we may not be as prone to significant snowfall amounts as other areas in the country, we still get our fair share of snow in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Here are the average snowfall amounts for each area:

• Washington, DC: Approximately 13.6 inches
• Maryland: Approximately 20.6 inches
• Virginia: Approximately 24.4 inches

What To Do About Snow on Your Roof

Consider these tips for handling snow on your roof:

• Avoid trying to melt snow with heat manually
• Use a rake to spread out the snow
• Call a professional roofing contractor for roof repairs if snow is causing issues or damaging your roof

Turn to BRAX Roofing for Winter Roof Repairs in the DMV Area

BRAX Roofing is the Greater Washington area’s choice for residential roof repairs. We offer free estimates, insurance claims assistance, emergency storm damage repairs, and a 50-year manufacturer warranty. We’re also an Angi Super Service Award winner and a proud member of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).

At BRAX Roofing, we provide best-in-class service, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and flexible financing. We’re a local team that puts honesty, integrity, and responsibility at the forefront of everything we do. We look forward to helping with your roof repair needs.

Schedule roof repair services with BRAX Roofing by calling 301-469-4880 now.