Melted snow can create an ice dam in your roof that restricts proper water flow, causing leakages on your house’s roof, walls, and foundations. Here are some things that will help you understand why ice dams may form on your roofing system and what you can do about it.
Causes of Roofing Ice Dams
Roofing ice dams are most commonly caused by a combination of three factors: snow accumulation, heat loss from your home’s roof, and freezing temperatures. The warmer air inside your attic or upper levels of your home melts the snow on your roof, then runs down to the edge, where it refreezes due to the colder temperatures. This process can continue to repeat, causing the ice dam to grow and become thicker.
Prevention
First, ensuring your attic is properly insulated will help to maintain a cooler roof, hindering snow melt. Secondly, adding roof and soffit vents can promote better air circulation, reducing heat buildup. You can also use a rake with long handles to remove the residual chunks of snow from the roofs. Nevertheless, you need to be careful to avoid damaging the roofs. Also, ensuring that well-maintained gutters are debris-free can help prevent ice dams from forming.
Signs of Roofing Ice Dams
The most visible sign of a roofing ice dam is the formation of icicles along the edge of your roof. This occurs due to the melted snow refreezing at the edge. Another sign is water leaks inside your home, particularly in the upper levels or near the walls and ceiling. There are other signs of an ice dam that you may witness. For example, they include big areas covered with ice melting at different rates, indicating the source of the warm air.
Additionally, it is important to observe your roof, whereby you might find some of the shingles lifting or even being blown away, which, if not managed, could lead to other damages in the house. Therefore, people must stay on the lookout for these signs and act fast to safeguard their assets from major losses.
What To Do If an Ice Dam Occurs
When you see an ice dam on your roof, make sure that you act swiftly by stopping further damages before they become disastrous. The other thing you should never do without expert roofing help is try removing the ice dam, as it can be hazardous, and you might end up destroying your roof while attempting this process.
Secondly, you should utilize an ice melting product based on calcium chloride to melt down the ice dam and let the water flow off your rooftop. You should also ensure that the product is harmless for use on a roof and has no harmful substances that can cause damage to the shingles as well as the gutters.
Roofing ice dams can cause significant damage to your home if not addressed promptly. However, if you understand their formation processes, take appropriate preventive steps, and know what to do when it happens, you can save your house and avoid expensive repair costs. Also, ensure you remain safe and call for professional help if needed.