Should You Remove Snow From Your Roof in NJ? A Roofer's Guide

For most New Jersey homes, you do not need to remove snow from your roof after a typical storm. A sound, properly built roof is designed to carry the snow loads our region normally sees. Snow removal becomes worth it when heavy, wet snow piles up deep, when rain falls on top of existing snow, when ice dams are forming, or when your roof is low-slope, older or already showing signs of stress.

With winter approaching, here is how to tell the difference, how to clear snow safely if you need to, and the mistakes that cause more damage than the snow itself.

Why Most NJ Roofs Can Handle Normal Snow

Building codes set a minimum snow load for every roof, and that number varies across the state. Northwest New Jersey, including Sussex, Warren and upper Morris counties, is designed for heavier snow than the shore and South Jersey. A house built to code in your area should handle a normal winter without help.

Six to twelve inches of light, fluffy snow is rarely a structural concern. Fresh dry snow is mostly air, and it often slides off or melts within days. The trouble starts when snow gets heavy, deep or stays put for weeks.

When Snow on Your Roof Becomes a Real Risk

Weight matters far more than depth. As a rough guide, a foot of fresh, dry snow may weigh around 3 to 7 pounds per square foot, while a foot of wet, packed snow can weigh 15 to 20 pounds or more. Ice is heavier still. That means two feet of slushy snow can put several times more stress on a roof than two feet of powder.

Consider clearing snow, or calling a professional, when you see any of these situations:

• Snow followed by rain. Rain soaks into the snowpack like a sponge and can add a lot of weight quickly. This is common in New Jersey, where storms often swing between snow and rain.
• More than about two feet of heavy, wet snow, especially after back-to-back storms with no melting in between.
• Drifts piled against a dormer, a second-story wall or a chimney. Drifts concentrate weight in one area.
• Low-slope or flat sections, such as porch roofs, additions and rear extensions. Snow doesn't shed from these the way it does from a steep roof.
• Ice dams forming at the eaves, with icicles and water backing up under the shingles.
• An older roof or one with known problems, such as previous sagging, rotted decking or a past leak.

Warning Signs of Too Much Snow Load

Your house will often tell you when the roof is under strain. Take these signs seriously, especially during or right after a big storm:

• Interior doors, especially upstairs, suddenly sticking or not latching
• New cracks in drywall or plaster near the ceiling or above door frames
• Creaking, popping or cracking sounds from the attic
• A visible dip or sag in the roofline when you look from the street
• Water stains or drips on ceilings while snow is still on the roof
• Bent or bowing rafters, or split framing, when you look in the attic

If you notice sagging, cracking framing or loud structural noises, get everyone out of the affected rooms and call a professional right away. Our guide to sagging roof sections in New Jersey explains what causes this and how it's fixed.

How to Remove Snow Safely From the Ground

If you decide to clear snow yourself, stay on the ground. A roof rake with a telescoping aluminum pole lets you pull snow down from the first several feet of the roof without a ladder. Most cost between $40 and $120 at hardware stores, and it's smart to buy one before the first storm when they're easy to find.

1. Start at the edge and work up. Pull snow down in small sections, starting at the eaves, rather than trying to drag a big slab from high on the roof.
2. Clear the bottom 3 to 4 feet. This is where ice dams form, and clearing it helps meltwater drain into the gutters instead of backing up.
3. Leave an inch or two of snow. Scraping down to the shingles can tear off granules, crack cold, brittle shingles or catch the edge of a tab.
4. Pull straight down the slope. Raking sideways can catch shingle edges and lift them.
5. Watch for power lines. Never use a metal rake anywhere near service wires running to the house.
6. Stand clear of the drop zone. Snow and ice sliding off a roof can be heavy enough to injure someone. Keep kids and pets away.

Snow Removal Mistakes That Damage Roofs

We repair more winter damage caused by well-meaning snow removal than you might expect. Avoid these:

• Climbing on a snowy or icy roof. Falls from roofs and ladders are a serious winter injury risk. No amount of snow is worth it.
• Chipping ice with a hammer, shovel or ice pick. This easily punches through shingles and can damage the flashing and gutters underneath.
• Using a metal shovel on the roof. The blade can slice shingles and strip granules.
• Throwing rock salt on the roof. Sodium chloride can corrode metal flashing, gutters and fasteners and harm landscaping below.
• Using heat guns, torches or pressure washers. These can melt or blow off shingles and create a fire hazard.
• Waiting until the roof is sagging. By then, the structure may already be damaged.

Snow, Ice Dams and Leaks: The Bigger Winter Problem

In New Jersey, ice dams cause far more winter leaks than collapsed roofs do. Heat escaping from the living space warms the roof deck, snow melts, and the water refreezes at the cold eaves. That ridge of ice traps more meltwater, which can work under the shingles and into walls and ceilings.

Raking the lower edge of the roof helps in the short term, but the lasting fix is better attic insulation, balanced ventilation and ice and water shield along the eaves. Our article on how to prevent ice dams on NJ roofs walks through those steps in detail.

When to Call a Professional

Hire help when the snow is out of reach of a roof rake, when you have a two-story house with heavy accumulation, when ice dams are already leaking, or when you see any of the warning signs above. Professional snow removal typically runs a few hundred dollars or more depending on roof size, pitch, snow depth and access, and it's often money well spent compared with interior water damage.

Once the snow melts, it's worth having the roof checked if you had leaks, ice dams or a heavy winter. Look for lifted or cracked shingles, bent gutters and loose flashing. If something was damaged, our team handles storm and roof damage repair across the state, and a professional roof inspection can document problems for an insurance claim, since many homeowners policies cover damage from the weight of snow and ice.

As a GAF Master Elite® contractor with 20 years of New Jersey winters behind us, American Roofing Pros sees the same pattern every year: the roofs that come through winter best are the ones that were in good shape, well ventilated and properly flashed before the first storm.

Next Steps Before the First Big Storm

• Buy a roof rake now and store it where you can reach it after a storm.
• Clean your gutters so meltwater has somewhere to go.
• Take a look in the attic for old water stains, damp insulation or frost on the nails.
• Have any loose shingles, worn flashing or past leak spots repaired before the snow arrives.

If you're unsure whether your roof is ready for winter, or you're dealing with an ice dam or snow-related leak right now, call American Roofing Pros at (877) 228-1042. You can also request a free estimate and we'll send you photos of what we find along with a written, itemized price.