Home Roof snow load?

[flatbutt]

Conventional wisdom seems to be 20 lbs per square foot which seems a bit low to me especially if it is wet snow. I've got a steep pitch on one part of my roof but the pitch changes direction halfway down so the snow piles up at that point.

I "feel" that I need to clear some of it in the morning but it won't be easy. Do you all clear some of the snow from your roof?

[jcommin]

I don't know how old you are but getting on a ladder in the winter with snow and ice is dangerous.

[TimT]

Its so windy, how much snow is on your roof?

You may have accumulation on the leeward side, but nothing to worry about

[masraum]

Whatever you do, try to avoid this sort of thing.

[Bugsinrugs]

Depending on how high your roof is, there are devices that you can throw up on the roof and drag the snow off.

[Bugsinrugs]

https://www.amazon.com/EarthMark-Avalanche-Removal-System-SnowRake/dp/B00RY8II4Q/ref=asc_df_B00RY8II4Q/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241934148375&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14905663711323062259&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032596&hvtargid=pla-491851689769&psc=1

[recycled sixtie]

I use a roof rake and have been doing so for about ten years. My roof rake has three sections to it so its reach is quite long. Weight on roof I am not sure about but in this part of the world the concern is an ice dam. The latter is where there is melting at the bottom of the roof and the water backs up into the house through the eaves.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by TimT

Its so windy, how much snow is on your roof?

You may have accumulation on the leeward side, but nothing to worry about

Exactly, about 12 inches on the leeward side, more nearer the bottom.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by jcommin

I don't know how old you are but getting on a ladder in the winter with snow and ice is dangerous.

The smarter part of me knows that but looking up at that pile on the roof makes my stomach hurt.

[ckelly78z]

No way i'm getting on my roof, it's sketchy when it's dry up there, and I have to clean the woodstove chimney twice a year.

My FIL, and I were replacing this roof about 20 years ago, and was amazed at the weight that was already up there. We peeled off 3 layers of asphalt shingles that was over a seamed metal roof that had the seams cut off. This was all sitting on the original wood shake shingle roof. 2 full large dumpsters later.....

[dad911]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Exactly, about 12 inches on the leeward side, more nearer the bottom.

Near the bottom is good, closer to bearing at wall. We've had worse, I would not worry.

[908/930]

12" wet snow is probably around 10lbs square foot, don't think you will have any problems.

[unclebilly]

Call your building permit office. They will know and tell you.

My inlaws cut 2/3 of the rafters n their house to put in massive skylights. The professional engineer in me CRINGED when I saw what they did. They did nothing to distribute the load. It’s a mess.

I asked my FIL what the building inspector had to say... he said they weren’t getting it inspected and that the carpenter that they paid cash to said it was fine.

It was so bad, it stressed me out. I’m waiting for a good dump of wet snow so I can see how much design factor remains...

[flatbutt]

Thanks guys, I feel better now.

[red-beard]

[speeder]

I don’t really start to worry until it looks like this:

(Photo taken in CA.):

[speeder]

Those guys don’t have to worry about falling off the roof other than it might be hard to find them.

[Bugsinrugs]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.abc10.com/amp/article/news/local/truckee-fire-rescue-14-year-old-avalanche/103-f9ed4eb4-ec97-428e-b0e9-91df5b849836

[ltusler]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

https://www.amazon.com/EarthMark-Avalanche-Removal-System-SnowRake/dp/B00RY8II4Q/ref=asc_df_B00RY8II4Q/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241934148375&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14905663711323062259&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032596&hvtargid=pla-491851689769&psc=1

I second this device, I've used mine for years.

[unclebilly]

Also really depends on the snow. Wet, heavy snow like my inlaws get weighs probably 10x more than the powder we love to ski in.