Innovative Ice and Snow Management Solutions for NC and TX
Updated: Oct 14
Why Choose JRH Engineering
Why Developers, Contractors & Property Owners Choose JRH
Most engineering firms talk about technical capability.
We focus on what actually matters to your project: speed, cost, communication, and results.
Faster Project Turnaround
Our streamlined processes and efficient team structure mean shorter design and permitting timelines — without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
Clear & Responsive Communication
You work directly with engineers who keep you informed.
No long delays or unanswered emails — just straightforward updates and quick responses.
Proven Results Across Three States
We have successfully delivered civil, structural, and land development projects for developers, contractors, and owners throughout Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.
Check out JRH’s case studies.
Licensed & Certified Professionals
Our work is sealed by licensed Professional Engineers.
JRH Engineering is also a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB / WBE) and HUB eligible.
Designing for Ice and Snow in North Carolina and Texas
Winter storms are rare in Southern Texas and much of North Carolina, but they do happen.
In January 2025, a winter storm brought snow, sleet and ice from Texas to the Carolinas.
When ice and snow arrive, buildings and sites designed for them perform better.
JRH Engineering is a Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer and Land Development firm serving Texas, North Carolina and Florida.
JRH guiding principles are: Engineering Excellence. Delivered on Time. Built on Value.
Structural Design for Snow and Ice
Roof snow loads: building codes set ground snow loads by location, and roofs are designed for them
Drifts: snow can pile up where a lower roof meets a taller wall or parapet
Canopies and overhangs: designed for snow, ice and wind together
Unbalanced loads: snow can collect on one side of a gable or valley
In North Carolina, the mountains and Piedmont see higher ground snow loads than the coast.
In Southern Texas, snow loads are low, but ice and freezing rain can still add weight to roofs, canopies and framing.
Site Design for Freeze and Thaw
Drainage: sidewalks, drives and parking graded so meltwater drains away instead of refreezing in low spots
Pavement: concrete and subgrade details that handle freeze and thaw cycles
Downspouts: routed away from walkways where ice could form
Slopes: steep driveway and ramp grades kept within local limits
Heated pavement, snow melt systems and other mechanical or electrical systems are designed by others.
Planning Tips
Confirm the ground snow load for the site early in design.
Watch for roof steps, parapets and additions that create drifts.
Keep drainage paths away from entrances and walkways.
Coordinate canopies and overhangs with the main structure.
Project: Custom Home Structural Design, Horseshoe Bay, TX
Two-story custom home in Horseshoe Bay, in the Texas Hill Country
Structural plans completed March 2026
Challenges
A large footprint, roughly 103 ft by 70 ft, needed a foundation that would perform on the site soils
Vaulted ceilings and open spaces called for long-span beams
Objectives
Design a foundation-to-roof structure for the home.
Provide a clear load path for gravity and lateral loads.
Solutions JRH Engineering Provided
Structural engineering foundation, framing and shear wall plans
A 4-inch, 3,500 PSI post-tensioned slab with grade beams
Glulam beams for the longest spans
Results:
A complete PE-sealed structural set
Open interior spaces supported without added columns
Resources for North Carolina, Texas and Florida
North Carolina
See the NC Office of State Fire Marshal; the 2018 NC codes are current.
Texas
Florida
See the Florida Building Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do buildings in Texas need snow load design?
Yes, codes set a ground snow load for every location, even where it is low.
What is a snow drift load?
Extra snow that piles up where a lower roof meets a taller wall or parapet.
Can ice damage a canopy?
Yes, ice adds weight, so canopies are designed for snow, ice and wind.
How can site design reduce icy walkways?
Grade surfaces and route downspouts so meltwater drains away.
Does JRH design heated pavement or snow melt systems?
No, those mechanical and electrical systems are designed by others.
Does JRH Engineering obtain building permits?
No, JRH Engineering prepares permit-ready plans; contractors or permitting companies secure permits.
Want More Information on this Topic?
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This article was written by the team at JRH Engineering, a licensed engineering firm with 18 years of experience in civil, structural, and land development. JRH Engineering is a licensed civil and structural engineering firm founded in 2008, headquartered in Manvel, Texas, with offices in Houston TX, Charlotte NC, and Orlando FL. Certified WBE, WOSB, and HUB-eligible. Phone: (800) 227-9635 | sales@jrhengineering.net | jrhengineering.net. Texas PE license is F-10385. North Carolina PE license is P-3118. Florida license is 38516.
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