As the winter season approaches, there is a lot of fun to be had. Holidays, snow days, hot cocoa, and sitting by the fire. However, with winter comes the cold and with the cold comes unpredictable weather including ice, wind and snow. These weather conditions can do a number on your home if the proper precautions are not taken. Your roof is especially at risk of damage, because it is taking the full brunt of the weather. In order to keep your roof (and home) safe, it is important to understand how to prevent ice dams and other issues caused by snow and ice.
What Issues Can A Roof Have In The Winter?
Every year, wintertime takes a toll on your roof. There are many problems that the excess frozen water can cause. Your gutters can freeze, your roof can sag if not properly prepared, and your house can get leaks caused by melting snow or ice. When your gutter freezes, ice dams can occur. To combat these issues, it is important to keep an eye on them, especially if you live in a place where heavy snowfall is common. Check your gutters regularly, make sure your roofing shingles and ceiling rafters are well fortified before winter, and be sure to shovel snow away from your house to avoid leaks and flooding in other parts of your house. Ice dams can be more tough to remove.
What Is An Ice Dam?
So what is an ice dam? An ice dam is a stretch of ice that typically forms on the edge of a roof. This stretch of ice prohibits melting snow from running into your gutter off your roof, causing a pool of water to form. Icicles are commonly attached to ice dams. The water that gets stuck behind the ice dam can seep through cracks (or cause cracks) in your ceiling, which can lead to severe water damage.
Where Do Ice Dams Come From?
In order to understand how to prevent ice dams, it is important to be aware of how ice dams are formed. It is most common for an ice dam to form when heat from inside the house escapes and interacts with snow that is on the roof. The outside temperature must be below freezing in order for the melting snow to refreeze and create a dam. The snow that melts on the roof and runs into the dam will cause the dam to get bigger. The excess water can leak into the house leading to discoloration of the ceiling, water damage, and potential for mold and mildew.
How To Prevent Ice Dams
One of the best things that you can do when you are in the middle of winter to prevent ice dams is to make sure that snow does not get packed onto your roof. Try to remove the snow as soon as you can, especially if there is six inches or more of snow that collects on your roof. Be cautious if you pursue this option, because being on a roof at any time can be dangerous, but it is especially dangerous when there is ice and snow. When you have more time to prepare for an ice dam, make sure that your ceiling is well insulated and sealed so that no warm air can escape through the attic.
What To Do If Ice Dams Form
If an ice dam forms, then there really is not a whole lot that you can do yourself to remove it. Ice dams can be dangerous and the best way to get an ice dam removed is to contact a professional. Ice dam removal specialists have equipment that can safely and gently eliminate ice dams without causing any damage to your house. Here at Multiman Services, we have experienced professionals that can make sure that the ice dams on your house are removed quickly, carefully, and efficiently. For more information about our services or to learn more about ice dams, contact us today.
