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A roof's ability to handle snow depends on its strength and the snow's weight, as wet snow is much heavier than dry, fluffy snow. While designs in snowy regions often allow for 35 to 50 pounds per square foot, a general guideline is that a typical roof can withstand about four feet of fresh snow, two feet of packed snow, or just one inch of ice. Factors like the roof's age, slope, and support structure also affect its capacity; newer, sloped roofs generally hold more weight than older, flat ones. Ice and ice dams add significant, dangerous weight. Because capacity varies, it is best to contact a professional roofing contractor or the original builder to determine the maximum snow load for your specific home.

Hail damage is bad for a roof because it can leave the roof vulnerable to the elements. Hail may leave more than dents or scratches behind. It can actually cause the shingles to crack, which means water can leak into your home from the roof. Hail can also wear down the granules on the shingles. Without these granules, the shingles are weaker and more vulnerable to the elements, particularly wind. If the hailstorm is accompanied by high winds, it may take your shingles with it.

Rain shouldn’t come in through your ridge vents unless your vents are damaged or the rain is accompanied by very high winds. Most ridge vents use flashing or baffling to keep out rain, snow, and debris. If your ridge vent isn’t baffled, rain is more likely to enter your attic, so ridge vents with baffles are a better choice in areas with regular rainfall.

Manufacturers, insurance companies, and municipality regulations are phasing out three-tab shingles. Because of their short lifespan and lack of durability compared to other roofing material types, manufacturers are leaning toward better products, and cities and insurers are starting to require better building materials overall. However, 3-tab shingles are still for sale, and some roofing companies still install them.