What to Check on Your Roof After This Weekend's Snowstorm
Eastern Pennsylvania is about to get hit with 10-18 inches of snow. Here's what to inspect once it stops falling, how melting reveals hidden damage, and insurance documentation tips.
By the time you read this, the snow may already be piling up outside your window.
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings across eastern Pennsylvania from early Sunday morning through Monday afternoon. Forecasters expect 10 to 18 inches of snow from Reading and Berks County through the Lehigh Valley and into the Poconos, with the heaviest rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour hitting Sunday morning into early afternoon. All 67 Pennsylvania counties are under some form of winter storm alert for the first time since 2003.
That much snow puts serious weight on your roof. And while the storm itself demands attention, what happens in the days after matters just as much.
This guide covers what to check once the snow stops falling, what problems reveal themselves only as melting begins, and how to document everything properly if you need to file an insurance claim.
The 24-72 Hour Inspection Window
Roof damage doesn't always show up immediately. Some problems take hours or days to become visible, especially as temperatures fluctuate and snow begins to melt. Industry guidance recommends checking your home in phases.
During the first 24 hours, focus on what you can safely observe from inside your home. Check your attic for obvious signs of water intrusion, damp insulation, or active dripping. Listen for unusual sounds from above. Popping, creaking, or groaning noises may indicate your roof structure is under stress from the snow load.
Safety First
Do not attempt to climb onto a snow-covered roof. The combination of snow, ice, and cold-brittled shingles creates serious fall hazards, and adding your weight to an already-stressed structure is never smart.
Between 24 and 72 hours after the storm, you can begin exterior inspection from the ground. Walk the perimeter of your home and view your roof from all angles. Binoculars help. You're looking for visible sagging, ice dam formation along the eaves, and any obvious damage. This ground-level assessment catches roughly 80% of detectable roof problems without requiring you to leave solid footing.
From 72 hours to two weeks, continue monitoring as temperatures rise and fall. Ice dams can continue developing for days after heavy snow. Leaks often appear only during thaw periods when meltwater finds pathways under shingles. Structural settling from excess snow load can show up as new cracks in walls or doors that suddenly stick, symptoms that may not appear until the weight begins releasing.
What to Look for Inside Your Home
Start your inspection indoors, where you can assess damage safely regardless of outside conditions.
In the Attic
- Water stains on rafters and roof decking: Dark rings or spots indicate moisture has penetrated
- Damp, compressed, or displaced insulation: Wet insulation loses up to 40% of its R-value and can promote mold growth within 24 to 48 hours
- Frost on sheathing or nail tips: Indicates a ventilation problem where warm, moist air is condensing on cold surfaces
- Daylight through the roof deck: Any pathway for light is a pathway for water and needs professional repair
On Top-Floor Ceilings and Walls
- New water stains: Brown or yellow discoloration appearing after a snow event points to a roof leak
- Bubbling or peeling paint: Sign of moisture behind the surface
- Sagging or warped sections: Indicates significant water accumulation
- New cracks where walls meet ceilings: May indicate structural stress rather than just water damage
Test your doors and windows. If they suddenly stick or won't close properly, the house frame may have shifted under the snow load. This is worth noting even if function returns to normal after the snow melts.
Ice Dam Warning Signs
With this storm bringing heavy snow followed by bitter cold, ice dam conditions are almost certain. Ice dams form when heat escaping from your home melts snow on the upper roof, which then refreezes at the cold eaves. The resulting ice ridge traps meltwater, which backs up under shingles and into your home.
Exterior Signs of Ice Dam Formation
A visible ridge of ice along your roof's lower edge is the most obvious indicator. This ridge can grow several feet wide in severe cases. Large icicles hanging from gutters and downspouts, especially when accompanied by ice buildup behind them, suggest water is pooling and refreezing rather than draining properly.
Interior Signs of Ice Dam Damage
Water stains appearing on ceiling edges near exterior walls during or shortly after thaw periods are classic ice dam symptoms. You may notice dripping that starts and stops as temperatures fluctuate. In the attic, look for wet or frost-covered insulation near the eaves and moisture on the underside of roof sheathing.
Our existing guide on ice dam prevention covers long-term solutions, but if you're dealing with active ice dam damage right now, the priority is documentation and damage control.
Shingle roofs are designed for flowing water, not standing water. When ice dams trap meltwater, that standing water travels under shingles through normal nail holes.
When Melting Snow Reveals Hidden Problems
Snow acts as a diagnostic tool. Uneven melting patterns visible from the ground indicate heat escaping through specific areas of your roof.
If you notice bare spots on your roof while neighboring homes remain snow-covered, that section is losing heat. This often precedes ice dam formation and points to insulation or ventilation deficiencies worth addressing before next winter.
Flashing failures become apparent during melt cycles because flowing meltwater finds gaps that rain might miss. Snow sits on your roof and melts slowly, creating sustained water exposure that penetrates compromised seals around chimneys, vents, and skylights. If you see water stains appearing near these penetrations during thaw periods, the flashing likely needs repair.
The critical point: shingle roofs are designed for flowing water, not standing water. When ice dams trap meltwater, that standing water travels under shingles through normal nail holes. Many roofs that perform perfectly during rainstorms will leak during snowmelt for exactly this reason.
Documenting Damage for Insurance
If you discover damage, proper documentation can make or break an insurance claim. The difference between a successful claim and a denial often comes down to evidence. (Our guide on documenting hail damage covers similar principles that apply to any storm-related claim.)
Photograph Everything Immediately
- Take wide shots showing your entire roof in context with the property
- Capture close-ups of specific damage: stained ceilings, ice dam formations, damaged shingles, or water intrusion points
- Ensure all photos are timestamped (most smartphones do this automatically)
- Photograph from multiple angles and in different lighting to reveal subtle damage
- Interior shots should show the relationship between stains and nearby features like vents, chimneys, or roof edges
Save Weather Documentation
Screenshot forecasts or news reports confirming the storm event. NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information maintains official records you can reference later, but having your own dated screenshots establishes timeline immediately.
Keep receipts for any emergency repairs. If you need to tarp a section of roof or hire someone to remove dangerous ice buildup, those costs may be reimbursable. Document what was done, when, and why.
File promptly. Most Pennsylvania insurers expect claims within 30 to 60 days of damage occurring. Under PA law, insurers must acknowledge receipt within 10 working days and respond in writing within 15 working days. Don't delay.
Understand what's covered. Homeowners insurance typically covers sudden and accidental damage from storms. It does not cover gradual deterioration, lack of maintenance, or damage from ice dams caused by poor insulation (which insurers may classify as a maintenance issue). Documentation showing the storm caused the damage, not pre-existing conditions, strengthens your claim.
When to Remove Snow That's Still on Your Roof
Even after the storm passes, heavy accumulation may need to be addressed.
For reference, fresh dry powder weighs roughly 4 to 7 pounds per cubic foot, while wet, packed snow weighs 12 to 20 pounds per cubic foot. Ice is the heaviest at about 5 pounds per square foot per inch of thickness. Most homes in eastern Pennsylvania are designed to handle 30 to 35 pounds per square foot of ground snow load, with higher elevations near Blue Mountain requiring more.
General Thresholds for Removal
Consider removing snow when accumulation exceeds 12 to 18 inches of dry snow or 6 to 12 inches of wet, heavy snow. With the forecast calling for potential totals exceeding 12 inches, many homes will approach these thresholds.
If you notice any warning signs of roof stress, such as sagging rooflines, doors that won't close, or unusual sounds from the attic, removal becomes more urgent regardless of depth.
Safe Removal Guidelines
- Use a roof rake from the ground: These long-handled tools let you pull snow off lower sections without climbing
- Work from the eaves upward: Clear the first 3 to 4 feet from the edge
- Leave 1 to 2 inches of snow: Avoid scraping shingles
- Never use metal shovels or sharp tools: They damage shingles, puncture membranes, and create new leak points
- Never chip ice with picks or hammers: This damages roofing materials and can void warranties
Professional removal makes sense for multi-story homes, roofs showing structural stress signs, steep pitches, or any situation requiring work on the roof surface itself. Expect costs of $250 to $500 for typical residential snow removal, with ice dam steam treatment running $600 to $1,500 additional.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Every winter storm brings a wave of well-intentioned homeowner actions that cause more harm than good.
- Applying salt or rock salt to your roof: Corrodes metal components, damages asphalt shingles, and creates toxic runoff that kills landscaping
- Walking on a snow-covered roof: Creates fall hazards, damages cold-brittled shingles, and adds localized stress to structures already under load
- Ignoring small leaks: A ceiling stain the size of a dinner plate represents water that's already soaked through insulation and possibly into structural members. Address leaks promptly
- Waiting too long to file a claim: Insurers may deny claims for damage that went unreported or unaddressed
- DIY repairs without understanding warranty implications: Over 60% of roof warranty claims are denied due to homeowner actions that void coverage
After the Snow Melts
Once conditions allow, schedule a professional inspection to assess any damage that isn't visible from the ground or attic. The combination of heavy snow load, ice dam potential, and freeze-thaw cycling this storm will bring makes a thorough evaluation worthwhile.
If you noticed any concerning signs during your own inspection, don't wait until spring. Small problems caught now cost far less than major repairs discovered later.
Stay safe out there. Keep your inspections ground-level, document what you find, and call for help when the situation exceeds what you can safely assess yourself.
Storm Damage? We're Here to Help
Whether you've spotted obvious damage or just want peace of mind after this weekend's storm, Valley Peak Roofing can help. We provide professional inspections, emergency repairs, and ice dam solutions throughout eastern Pennsylvania.
(484) 602-6863Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after a snowstorm should I inspect my roof?
Begin interior inspections within 24 hours, checking your attic for water intrusion, damp insulation, or unusual sounds. Ground-level exterior inspections can start 24 to 72 hours after the storm, once conditions allow safe movement around your home.
Can snow on my roof cause a leak?
Snow itself doesn't cause leaks, but the conditions it creates can. Ice dams form when melting snow refreezes at roof edges, backing water up under shingles. Heavy snow loads can also stress flashing and seals, creating new leak points.
How much snow is too much for a roof?
Most eastern Pennsylvania homes handle 30 to 35 pounds per square foot. Consider removal at 12 to 18 inches of dry snow or 6 to 12 inches of wet, heavy snow. If you notice sagging, cracking sounds, or sticking doors, act immediately regardless of depth.
Should I remove snow from my roof myself?
Only use a roof rake from the ground to clear the first 3 to 4 feet from roof edges. Never climb onto a snow-covered roof or use metal tools that damage shingles. For multi-story homes or heavy accumulation, hire a professional.
