As the holiday season approaches, so does the age-old question: can your roof handle the weight of Santa and his sleigh landing on it? We’re here to answer that question, and even throw in a few tips to make sure your shingles are ready for Old Saint Nick.
How Much Weight Do Shingles Support?
The short answer is that most standard asphalt shingles are designed to withstand up to 20 pounds per square foot. That means that if your roof is 2000 square feet, it could theoretically support up to 40,000 pounds! So don’t worry about Santa—he won’t be too heavy for your roof.
But what about all those presents he brings? Well, luckily you don’t have to worry about that either. Even if each present weighs an average of one pound (which they probably don’t), Santa would still only be adding an additional 1000 pounds or less on top of your roof. That won’t cause any problems—unless you happen to live in a flat-roofed house instead of a sloped roof!
Making Sure Your Roof is Ready for Santa’s Visit
Although we can all agree that Santa will not be too heavy for your roof, there are a few things you can do to make sure it’s ready when he comes around this Christmas Eve. The first thing you should do is take a look at your shingles and see if they need replacing. If any of them are cracked or missing, now would be a good time to replace them before the winter months start rolling in.
You should also check for any signs of damage from animals like squirrels or raccoons that might have decided your attic was their new home over the summer months. If you notice anything suspicious, contact a professional immediately—you don’t want an animal wreaking havoc with your roof during the holiday season! Finally, inspect your gutters and make sure they’re clean and clear of debris so rainwater doesn’t collect on top of them and cause further damage down the line.
Conclusion
All in all, rest assured knowing that Santa (and his sleigh) will not weigh too much for your roof! However, while it’s true that most asphalt shingles can handle up to 20 pounds per square foot, it never hurts to double check and make sure everything is in tip-top shape before the busiest night of the year for Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick arrives. Doing these simple checks now will help ensure that both you and St Nick have a safe and happy holiday season this year!
Get in Touch
If you are in need of roofing, siding, or window replacement services, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We would be more than happy to provide you with a free consultation. Simply give us a call at 973.599.0811 or send us an email at chris@ckgcontractors.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon!