Did you know ice dams are a common winter problem? If left unchecked, they can cause significant damage to your roof and home. This is what happens in cold times when the snow is shed on your roof and you get ice on the sides. The accumulation of water under that ice dam can percolate and cause further leakage and water damage within the house. Choosing the best professional roofing company will help you safeguard your roof and avoid costly repairs.
In this blog, let’s explore the causes of ice damming, how to prevent them, and how to remove them safely if they form.
What Are Ice Dams?
Extreme weather results in your snow melting due to the warm air from your attic, creating ice dams on your roof. It moves down the roof and, where the temperatures are a little lower at the eaves or roof edges, freezes again. Slowly and gradually, they all froze to form a strong ice layer on the surface. When snow melts, it accumulates behind the ice dam and seeps under the shingles and leaks down or causes water damage to your ceiling, walls, and insulation.
The Dangers of Ice Dams on the Roof
Ice dams are dangerous to your house and pose a threat to its structure. Ice forms at the lower end of your roof and it is known to hinder the ability of water to drain, leading to pooling of meltwater beneath shingles. This trapped water can drip into your own home, develop leaks, water-stained ceiling, and wet walls.
Eventually, water seeps in, degrades the value of insulation, fostering mold and/or rot development on the roof structure. Moreover, ice dams can also exert pressure on your roof and gutters and may lead to their complete collapse or detachment. That is why the ice dam needs to be addressed as soon as it is detected to avoid having to spend lots of money on repairs, and make sure that the structures inside a home are safe and will last long.
How to Prevent Ice Dams
Improve Attic Insulation
Ice dams are caused by a lack of insulation. It melts the snow that accumulates on a roof too early, and then, as it refreezes, it forms ice dams on the roof gutters. Your attic space must be adequately insulated so the warm air escapes outside and the temperature differences on the roof occur.
Enhance Ventilation
Proper attic ventilation is equally important in preventing ice damming. A well-ventilated attic allows for balanced air circulation that maintains an even roof temperature. Thus, the snow melts off the roof without refreezing at the edges. For this purpose, install soffit vents and ridge vents.
Seal Gaps and Leaks
Look for cracks and holes in your attic, particularly around vents, chimneys, and skylights. These holes will enable warm air to leave and let ice dams form more easily. Seal the gaps using weatherproof insulation so that your attic stays cold, preventing ice dams from forming.
Keep Gutters Clean
Hair clogging the gutters can lead to pooling of water on your roof, and ice dams will tend to form. Therefore, always ensure that the troughs are clear and free from such obstacles as leaves or twigs so that water can drain. Also, you may have gutter guards installed to reduce gutter cleaning frequency.
Use a Roof Rake
When you’re dealing with heavy layers of snow over your roof, you have to utilize a roof rake and remove the snow from the edges of the roof. It will avoid the action of such persistent factors as temperature in relation to the snow, not let it freeze and then melt again; thereby, it is possible to decrease the chance of ice dams forming. The rake you use must be a telescopic one in such a way that you do not have to stand right below it when the roofs begin to snow.
How to Remove Ice Dams
If ice dams have already formed, it is essential to remove them as soon as possible to avoid water damage. Here are some methods for safe and effective removal:
Create Small Holes in the Ice Dam
If you have ice build-up, try drilling small holes in the ice dam with a long, blunt object like a hammer handle. Water will then be able to flow through the ice so that it does not back up under your shingles. Be careful not to punch holes in the shingles as you make the holes.
Apply Ice Melt
You may want to break up stubborn ice dams with a calcium chloride ice melt. Place the calcium chloride ice melt in a fabric sock or nylon stocking, then hang it vertically over the ice damming. As it melts, it will also provide channels for water flow off the roof. Steer clear of rock salt, however, because your shingles might just be damaged.
Call a Professional
If it is a large ice dam or if you cannot remove it easily, it is advisable to call a roofing professional. They will possess all the equipment needed to get the ice dams off your roof without causing further damage to your house.
Conclusion
Preventing and removing ice dams requires proactive measures and timely action. In other words, proper insulation, ventilation, and maintenance of your roof can help prevent ice dams from ever forming. If ice dams do occur, their prompt removal will help prevent further water damage. Taking these steps will help in ice dam protection on architectural shingles.
Looking for a roofing company in Bel Air, MD? Contact Us at Advantage Home Exteriors for expert Roofing Solutions!