How Much Snow Can My Roof Hold ?

Vita Entrekin
Dec 14, 2025
4 min read

People usually ask this question after a big storm, when the roof looks buried and something about it feels off. We hear it all the time from homeowners in Cherry Hill and across Camden County. The honest answer is that most roofs can hold snow up to a point, but the margin for error is smaller than people think.

How much snow are roofs in Cherry Hill, NJ designed to handle?

Most residential roofs in South Jersey are designed to handle a snow load of roughly 20 to 30 pounds per square foot. That number comes from New Jersey building codes and the way homes are typically framed in this area. The problem is that snow weight isn’t measured in inches. It’s measured in pounds. And snow gets heavy fast.

Dry, fluffy snow might only weigh 5 to 7 pounds per square foot for every foot of depth. That’s not usually what causes problems here. The bigger issue in Camden County is wet, compacted snow. That kind of snow can weigh 15 to 20 pounds per square foot per foot. Slush and refrozen snow can weigh even more. Add ice into the mix and the load increases quickly. One inch of solid ice can add another 5 to 6 pounds per square foot.

Why snow depth alone doesn’t tell the full story

This is why I’ve seen roof issues in Cherry Hill even when the snowfall didn’t seem extreme. A foot of wet snow sitting on top of an icy base can push a roof past its design limit without any obvious warning signs at first.

Ice dams make this worse. They trap meltwater, add weight near the edges of the roof, and force water back under shingles. Even a roof that looks structurally fine can start leaking under these conditions.

Which roofs in Camden County are more at risk?

Roof design makes a big difference. Steep-sloped roofs tend to shed snow better, which helps reduce buildup. Flat and low-slope roofs are more common on additions, porches, and some older homes in Camden County, and those are higher risk. Snow just sits there and keeps accumulating.

Roof valleys, dormers, skylights, and areas behind chimneys collect extra weight. These concentrated loads are where I most often see damage start.

Age matters too. Many homes in Cherry Hill were built decades ago, before current snow load standards were common. Over time, roof framing can weaken due to moisture, minor leaks, or repairs that weren’t done correctly. Even if the roof looks fine from the outside, the structure underneath may not handle heavy snow the way a newer roof would.

How much snow is too much for your roof?

Homeowners often want a clear number. As a general guideline, 6 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow should raise concern, especially if there’s already snow or ice on the roof. Twelve inches of any type of snow is usually enough to justify removal.

Multiple storms back to back are especially risky because the roof never gets a chance to shed weight between events.

Warning signs your roof may be under snow load stress

There are warning signs I tell homeowners to watch for during and after heavy snowfall:

Cracking or popping sounds from ceilings or attic areas
Sagging drywall or ceiling surfaces
Doors or windows suddenly sticking
New leaks during melting periods

These signs suggest the roof structure may be under stress and shouldn’t be ignored. But dont worry, we're just a phone call or text or online booking away ;)

Safe snow removal: what homeowners should and shouldn’t do

Snow removal can help, but it needs to be done correctly. Using a roof rake from the ground is generally safe for most sloped roofs in this area. You don’t need to remove every inch of snow. The goal is to reduce overall weight, especially near roof edges and valleys.

Climbing onto a snowy roof is dangerous and often leads to falls, damaged shingles, or uneven snow removal that creates new stress points.

Common mistakes homeowners make with roof snow

One of the biggest mistakes is waiting too long. Many homeowners assume the roof will either be fine or fail suddenly. In reality, damage usually happens gradually. The framing flexes. Fasteners loosen. Small cracks form. By the time water shows up inside the house, repairs are usually more extensive.

Another mistake is focusing only on snow depth and ignoring moisture. Four inches of wet snow can be more dangerous than a foot of light snow.

What can happen if snow load isn’t addressed

If snow load isn’t managed properly, the results range from ceiling damage to full structural failure. I’ve handled plenty of calls across Camden County after winter storms where early snow removal or inspection could have prevented major repairs.

Final thoughts from a local Cherry Hill roofer

Every roof has limits. Snow doesn’t need to look dramatic to exceed them. If you live in Cherry Hill or anywhere in Camden County, paying attention early and reducing roof snow when needed can prevent problems that are far harder to fix once winter is in full swing.