Impacts of the Weight of Snow

The first snow of a year is always special for the northern parts of North America. However, did you know that one cubic foot of fresh, dry snow weighs around 3 pounds? Even worse, one cubic foot of packed, heavy snow can weigh as much as 21 pounds. While determining the weight of snow is not convenient or feasible for most people, it’s safe to assume that the snow on your establishment’s roof probably weighs more than you realize.

Snowfall can be dangerous for roofing. If snow falls at different depths on a roof (due to trees, overhangs, drifting snow, or other factors), this is considered an unbalanced load. An unbalanced load poses a greater risk to your roof’s structural system than a uniform load. Roofs are built with the intention of spreading out the load over a vast area.

When heavy snow is not properly handled, your roof suffers. Here are some of the signs that your commercial roof is not doing well and should be updated to a snow system:

Creaking or Popping Sounds
Sagging or Bowed Areas
Cracked/Split Wood Beams
Minor or Severe Leaks

Cracks in Walls/Masonry

Sprinklers Dropping Down

The weight of snow can be hazardous to your roof system. If you should notice any of the impacts or signs listed above, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our company -- Safe Roof Systems -- to see what we can do for your business.