The four RBQ signs
These signs add to the other markers for deciding when to clear a roof. The four signs come before every other marker. Once one of them appears, the weather and the look of the roof no longer matter.
Cracks in interior walls. Look for cracks that were not there before winter, or that have grown longer. Check the top floor, right under the roof, first, especially the tops of walls, the corners and above door frames. Take a dated photo for the engineer.
Interior doors that stick or rub. A bedroom door that closed fine in December and catches in February is a sign to take seriously. A door that no longer latches counts too.
Unusual cracking sounds. Many houses crack in deep cold. What should alert you are new sounds, louder or more frequent, coming from the ceiling or the attic, especially after rain or a big snowfall. Note the time and the room for the engineer.
Ceilings that sag or change shape. The ceiling bulges downward, or the plaster splits in a line. Do not stay under it. Look from the doorway.
Where to look in the house
Signs show up near the roof first. In a plex, that means the top-floor unit. If you rent it out, ask your tenants to tell you. In a bungalow, it is the ground floor, under the attic.
Also check a rear addition or an attached garage, where snow from the roof above falls.
What to do when you see a sign
- Leave the room or stay away from the area. Get the other occupants out and close the door. In an apartment building, warn the tenants concerned.
- If the danger is immediate, leave the building and call 911.
- Have the roof cleared. The RBQ recommends it whatever the amount of snow. Write to us through the form and describe the sign and the room where it appeared.
- Have the building examined by a structural engineer. Only an engineer can tell whether the framing was affected and whether the area can be used again.
Do not go up on the roof to lighten it yourself. On a large commercial building, the engineer's opinion comes before any work on the roof.
What clearing solves and what it does not
When we clear a roof that has shown a sign, we remove the snow gradually and evenly with plastic shovels, leaving a thin layer on the roofing.
Clearing does not tell you why the roof was strained, or whether it kept any damage. The engineer's visit still has to happen.
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs of too much snow on a roof?
The RBQ names four signs of overload. Cracks in interior walls, interior doors that stick or rub, unusual cracking sounds and ceilings that sag. All of them can be observed from inside the building.
Is one sign enough to have the roof cleared?
Yes. The RBQ recommends clearing the roof if such signs are observed, whatever the amount of snow. Do not wait to see a second one.
Who do I call first?
If the danger is immediate, call 911. Otherwise, have the roof cleared and book an appointment with a structural engineer. Notify your insurer as well.
The sign went away after the snow was cleared. Is the problem solved?
Not necessarily. The load is gone, but the structure may have moved. Have it examined by a structural engineer without waiting, since more snowfalls may follow.
Official sources, consulted October 8, 2026: