Roof Integrity & Snow

As we saw with the Metrodome and its roof collapse yesterday, heavy snowfalls can do a number on buildings — especially the roof of your home or garage.

The snow load it can handle depends on several things.

The main factor is age — and building materials don’t play much of a role, if any.

Jeremy Cattron at Cattron’s Lumber in Negaunee says he likes to clear his roof once it has a foot and a half to 2 feet.

But he says how much is too much is something of a mystery — there’s no hard and fast rule.

Jeremy says a small amount of snow on top of your roof is beneficial.

A little bit of snow serves as extra insulation, keeping warm air inside your house.