With winter right around the corner, Rhode Island Slate Roofing figured this was a great time of the year to inform its customers of the importance of roof snow removal. With the horrendous snowfall totals, that the New England community endured this past winter, we saw too many roof leaks and collapses occur. Here are some safety tips regarding snow and ice accumulation on roofs.

Older and more flat roofs are more susceptible to serious roof damage from heavy snow coverage. As snow sits on roofs, especially flat ones, it compacts together and becomes more dense. Most residential roofs should be able to handle around 20lbs per square foot of snow before they start to become over-stressed. Below are some average numbers on average weight per snowfall amount.

Fresh Snow: 10-12 inches of fresh new snow totals around 5lbs per square foot of snow.

Packed Snow: 3-5 inches of packed and old snow also equals around 5lbs per square foot of roof space.

Ice: 1 inch of ice equal 1 foot of fresh snow.

Two feet of old snow and two feet of new snow can weigh upwards of 60lbs per square foot.  After reading these numbers above, you can understand how much pressure homes were under last winter. With storm after storm hitting an area, it is important that your roof is relieved of some of its stress.

For further questions about snow removal this winter, please feel free to give Rhode Island Slate Roofing a call at 401-225-2003 or through our online contact form.