It’s not about the number of inches of snow we’ve received here in Bismarck and Mandan. It’s more about the weight of the snowpack on your roof.
In general, most roofs can handle about 20 pounds of snow per square foot. That’s about 40 inches of fresh snow.
And ice can be sneakily heavy. An inch of ice weighs about the same as about a foot of fresh snow.
Here are some tips on how to prevent roof damage from heavy snow:
- Know the signs of a strained roof. Look for sagging ceiling tiles, cracked walls, or a leaking roof. Listen for creaking or popping noises. And if doors and windows are getting jammed, there’s a good chance your roof is stressed from heavy snow and ice.
- Remove excess snow and ice. Get the snow off your roof before it piles up. Investing in a roof rake is a good idea. Roof rakes cost anywhere from $30 to $200. You can get them at Menards, Lowes, or Ace Hardware in Bismarck. You can also hire a roofing professional to remove the extra snow. Contact us if you’d like help removing excess snow or preventing ice dams.