Most pitched roofs on New Jersey homes handle normal snowfall without help. A typical roof can carry about 20 pounds per square foot of extra weight. That’s about 4 feet of fresh, fluffy snow, but only about 2 feet of old, packed snow, and much less once ice or rain is added. Remove snow when it’s heavy and deep, when rain is forecast on top of it, on flat or low-slope roofs, or when ice dams are forming. Do it from the ground with a roof rake, and never climb an icy roof.
How heavy is the snow on your roof?
It’s not the depth that matters, it’s the weight, and snow gets heavier as it settles, melts and refreezes. Maine’s emergency management agency, which deals with heavy snow every winter, uses these rules of thumb:
| Type of snow | Depth that weighs about 5 lb per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Fresh, fluffy snow | 10 – 12 inches |
| Old, packed snow | 3 – 5 inches |
| Ice | 1 inch |
At about 20 lb per square foot of capacity, that means roughly 4 feet of fresh snow, about 2 feet of packed snow, or a few inches of ice. Older roofs and roofs with past damage can carry less. Source: Maine Emergency Management Agency.
Newark averages about 31 inches of snow a whole winter, according to NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals. So in a normal year, a pitched NJ roof is nowhere near its limit. The risk comes from big single storms, drifts, and rain falling on deep snow. Rain soaks into the snowpack and adds weight without adding any depth you can see.
When you should remove snow from your roof
- Flat and low-slope roofs: porch roofs, additions, garages and dormers. Snow doesn’t slide off them.
- Drifts piled against a taller wall, behind a chimney or in valleys. Drifted snow can be several times deeper than the snow on the rest of the roof.
- Rain in the forecast on top of a foot or more of snow
- Ice dams forming at the eaves. Raking the bottom few feet cuts off the meltwater that feeds them. See our ice dam guide.
- Any warning sign in the next section
Warning signs of an overloaded roof
- Sagging roof sections or ceilings
- New cracks in drywall or plaster, especially at the top of interior walls
- Doors or windows upstairs that suddenly stick or pop open
- Creaking, cracking or popping sounds from the attic
- New, severe leaks
If you notice these, get everyone out of the affected area and call a professional right away. Don’t go up to check.
How to remove roof snow safely (and without damaging shingles)
- Stay on the ground. Use a roof rake with an extension pole. Ladders ice up and roofs are slick under snow, so roof work in these conditions belongs to trained crews with fall protection.
- Start at the edge and work up in small bites. Pulling a big slab at once can bring it down on you.
- Leave 2 to 3 inches of snow on the shingles. Scraping down to the surface tears granules and can crack cold, brittle shingles.
- Mind the power lines. Keep metal rakes and poles well away from the service wires coming into the house.
- Never use heat (hair dryers, heat guns, torches) or rock salt on the roof. Heat is a fire and electrical risk, and salt damages shingles and flashing.
- Don’t block exits. Raked snow piles up fast in front of doors, vents and walkways.
The safety check most people miss: furnace and water heater vents
Many newer high-efficiency furnaces and water heaters vent through plastic pipes in a side wall, often low to the ground. A big storm or a pile of raked snow can bury them. A blocked intake shuts the furnace down. A blocked exhaust can push carbon monoxide back into the house. After every storm, clear snow from around these pipes and from dryer vents, and make sure your CO alarms work.
After the storm: a 5-minute roof check from the ground
- Missing or lifted shingles, or bare patches where snow slid off and took shingles with it
- Gutters pulled away from the fascia or bent by ice
- Large icicles or a band of ice at the eaves (the start of an ice dam)
- Chimney cap and crown intact, with no bricks or chunks on the roof
- In the attic: drips, frost on the underside of the roof boards, or wet insulation
- Indoors: new stains on ceilings, especially along exterior walls and near the chimney
Found something? Our guide to roof leaks in winter explains what to do next.
Frequently asked questions
Should I clear snow off my roof after every storm?
No. For most pitched NJ roofs it’s unnecessary, and every raking carries a small risk to shingles. Rake when snow is heavy and deep, when rain is coming, on flat or low-slope sections, or to stop ice dams.
Can a roof collapse in New Jersey?
It’s rare on pitched homes in good condition. When it happens, it’s usually a flat or low-slope roof, an older garage or porch, or a roof with hidden rot, often after rain falls on deep snow.
Can I use a shovel on my roof?
We don’t recommend it. Metal shovel edges cut and gouge shingles, and standing on a snowy roof is dangerous. Use a roof rake from the ground, or call a pro.
Will my roof be damaged by the snow itself?
Snow by itself rarely damages a sound roof. The damage comes from ice dams, from ice that tears gutters, and from people chipping or shoveling.
Worried about your roof this winter?
Ultra Pro Construction answers roof emergencies 24/7 across North Jersey. We’re a family-owned, NJ-licensed (13VH11344600), fully insured roofer based in Ridgewood, with GAF Certified Plus and Owens Corning Preferred credentials. If your roof is sagging, leaking or icing up, call (201) 554-4159. For everything else, book a free roof inspection and we’ll check it once the snow clears.
