Ice dams are common during the winter months. They may appear harmless, but they can cause extensive damage to your roof. Ice dams can be prevented with proper venting and insulation.
Keep reading to learn more about the causes, signs, and prevention measures of ice dams.
An ice dam is a buildup of ice that forms at the edge of the roof or gutters. Water pools up behind the ice dams when the snow begins to melt. Ice dams prevent water from draining through your gutters, so water starts to seep under shingles through your roof and can cause damages, such as wet or stained walls and ceilings, or even peeled or bubbled paint.
Factors that contribute to ice dams include:
Ice dams form when interior heat escapes and warms the roof. If not identified earlier, they can cause significant structural damage to your roof. You may have an ice dam problem if:
You can prevent roof damage if you prevent the ice buildups on your roof. Here are a few ways to prevent ice dams that lead to roof damage:
Check for any dangerous heat sources such as heating ducts, uninsulated folding attic stair openings, inadequate bathroom vent fans, and uninsulated recessed ceiling can lights. Make sure to fix these issues before winter.
Follow these tips to remove ice dams:
If these don’t work, hire a professional roofing contractor to remove the ice dams on your roof. They will scrape ice dams effectively and prevent further roof damage.
