Snow causing roofs to collapse across the state, expert offers helpful tips

MORGAN, Utah — After the abundance of snow across the state throughout the winter, it would seem a number of houses are struggling to hold the extra weight. Many Utahns are seeing sections of their roofs collapse as a result.

Up to five roofs in Morgan collapsed over the last week due to the excessive snowfall this past winter, according to the owner of Liberty Roofing Josh Carrion.

“We’ve seen an inordinate amount of snow this year,” he says. “It’s overwhelming some of these homes that were built in older code.”

How much snow is too much before roofs begin to collapse?

Code refers to how much weight roofs can handle.

“Some of these homes are built to handle 2 feet of snow or 3 feet of snow,” Carrion says. “In some of the instances, we’re seeing 4 and 5 feet high on people’s roofs.”

Local roofers are advising people get ahead of the problem. They say if homeowners see more than 2 feet of snow on their roof to call someone to help remove it.

Carrion says there are ways to prevent this issue before it even starts.

“Heat cable is a … great way to keep snow off the roof and to prevent this kind of snow load from staying on the roof,” he says.

Devin Oldroyd contributed to this story.

Further reading

• 9-year-old buried in snow then rescued after roof slide
• A roof collapses because of snow accumulation in Highland, Utah