How Much Snow Is Too Much On Your Roof?

How Much Snow Is Too Much On Your Roof?

When those first beautiful snowfalls hit Vernon and the North Okanagan, most homeowners are thinking cocoa, Christmas lights, and cozy fires not their roof structure. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize:

Snow is not light.

Especially not our snow here in the Interior.

Okanagan snow is often known for being heavier and wetter than the dry powder you get in the Rockies. Which means: depending on how much snow you’ve had, your roof may be carrying thousands of pounds of weight right now…quietly. Silently. Hour by hour.

So the question becomes:

At what point should you step in and remove snow from your roof?

Let’s break down how much is too much, what’s totally normal, and when to put the shovel down and call in the pros.

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Snow Load: Why It Matters More Than People Think

People often assume “if the roof is built to code, it can handle snow.”

And yes, BC Building Code snow load requirements are designed to handle significant snow weight.

But code design is not the same as real-world conditions.

Here are the variables that change everything:

• type of snow (light powder vs water-saturated snow)
• how long the snow has been sitting there
• if it has compacted
• freeze/thaw cycles
• roof shape & slope
• attic heat loss

You could have two homes in Vernon with the same snowfall and one could be in far more danger than the other.

Why? Because snow masses change density.

One foot of dry powder is not the same as one foot of February wet snow after 10 freeze-thaw cycles. After compaction, that same foot can weigh double, sometimes triple.

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“So… Can I Remove Snow Myself?”

Short answer: Sometimes.

Longer answer: It depends on how you do it.

There’s a massive difference between a homeowner safely pulling snow off the first few feet of the roof edge using a roof rake from the ground…

…and a homeowner climbing up the ladder in mid-January wearing slippery boots trying to shovel shingles bare.

One is smart maintenance.

One is basically “Canadian Ninja Warrior, Ice Edition” and should not be attempted.

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DIY Snow Removal: When It’s Reasonably Safe to Try

Here are situations where we say homeowners can intervene:

• The snow is light and fluffy
• You can reach the bottom few feet of snow from the ground
• You have a roof-specific rake (not a garden tool)
• Your roof pitch is mild
• Your footing is secure (flat ground, no ice around your base)
• You are not climbing on the roof

This approach is not about “clearing the roof” like a deck.

It’s about strategically removing enough snow to:

• reduce weight
• get meltwater off the roof
• prevent ice dam formation

Removing the first 3-6 feet near the eaves is often enough to protect the most vulnerable area.

DIY Red Flags: If You See These, STOP

If any of these apply, this is not the time to DIY.

• The roof is steep
• The snow is heavy, icy, or compacted
• You need to climb a ladder
• You need to leave the ground at any point
• You don’t own the right tools
• You can’t see where ice may be underneath
• You have mobility limitations or balance concerns

If you hesitate even 1% about safety; that is your sign.

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When Snow Removal Isn’t Enough

Sometimes you’ll get snow accumulation AND see the formation of an ice ridge along the eaves.

That’s your early warning sign that you could be heading toward ice dam territory.

If you want a deeper dive into that topic, we have a full post that breaks down what ice dams are, how they damage your roof, and how to prevent them. Here’s the link:
https://www.nokgnconstruction.ca/blog-posts/ice-dams-the-silent-villains-sneaking-up-on-your-roof-this-winter

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So…How Much Snow Is Too Much?

This is the question we get constantly.

Common homeowner guideline:

1 foot of heavy, wet snow = too much.
(2+ feet = intervene ASAP.)

Even though BC homes are designed to withstand significant snow load, that doesn’t mean “infinite snow.” Roofs are engineering systems and systems weaken when overloaded, especially when insulation is poor, or when weight is uneven.

Remember: this isn’t just about structural collapse.

The issue often shows up as:

• leaks
• interior damage
• attic condensation
• plywood rot

And by the time you see those signs damage is already in motion.

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“But My Roof Is New…”

Doesn’t matter.

Snow load risk is not about the age of the shingles, it’s about physics.

Even a brand new roof can struggle if:

• attic ventilation is insufficient
• insulation is uneven
• warm attic air melts the underside of the snow

Result? Melt + freeze cycles + trapped moisture = problems.

How Roofers Remove Snow Safely

When professionals remove snow, they’re not trying to get every square inch of the roof down to the shingles. That is NOT the goal.

Professional snow removal looks like:

• gently pulling snow down-slope in layers
• using tools that won’t damage granules
• avoiding breaking the snow into chunks that slide unpredictably
• clearing channels near the eaves to let water exit
• prioritizing vulnerable roof sections first (ridges, valleys, north-facing slopes)

We’re not out there doing a CrossFit WOD on your shingles.
We’re protecting the structure.

That’s the difference.

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Final Thoughts

You don’t need to panic at the first snowfall.

But you do need to take roof snow seriously, especially in January/February when the Okanagan snowpack gets real heavy, real fast.

Proactive snow management is like putting winter tires on before the first big storm: it’s just smart.

North OKGN Construction is based right here in Vernon — and yes, we do roofs!

If you’re concerned about how much snow is sitting on your roof, or you want a second opinion before you start pulling snow down, you can always reach out. Send us a photo. Reach out for an inspection. We’ll tell you honestly if it’s DIY-manageable or if it’s safer to have us step in.

Protect your roof. Protect your home. Protect your peace of mind this winter.

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