When winter hits, ice dams might just become your roof’s unwanted houseguest. These ice formations can cause a lot of trouble if you don’t deal with them quickly. But what’s an ice dam, and why should you care? In this post, we’ll break down what ice dams are, the trouble they can cause if you leave them alone, and why it’s best to call in the pros. We’ll also look at how fixing the underlying problems can keep ice dams from coming back.
What’s an Ice Dam and How Does It Form?
Ice dams start with snow on your roof. When warmth from your attic or warming outdoor temperatures cause the snow to start melting, it should simply run off of your roof, but in some cases, it can refreeze at the edges of your roof, creating a ridge of ice (also known as an ice dam). The problem is ongoing snow melt can’t make its way over that ridge, so it just adds to it.
Why Ignoring Ice Dams Is a Bad Idea
While it’s nice to stay inside by the fire, you can’t just turn on a Hallmark movie and ignore your ice dam. Well, you can, but it could lead to a lot of damage to your roof and home. Here’s why it’s smart to handle your ice dam now.
Water Damage
The biggest risk of an ice dam is water damage. The dam traps melting snow and ice, which can back up under your shingles and leak into your home. This can lead to expensive repairs for damaged ceilings, walls, and insulation.
Mold and Mildew
Continuous leaks from an ice dam can make your home damp, which is perfect for mold and mildew to grow. Besides damaging your property, mold and mildew can be a health hazard.
Structural Damage
Over time, the weight of ice dams can weaken your roof and its support structures. They can also cause your eaves (which overhang the house) and your rain gutters to crack and even tear off the house. Without functional rain gutters, you’ll have even more trouble with moisture damage.
Higher Energy Bills
Poor insulation and ventilation that lead to ice dams can also drive up your heating costs. Warm air escaping through your attic makes your heating system work harder to keep your home warm.
Why You Should Call the Pros for Ice Dam Removal
You might think about handling ice dam removal yourself, but it’s usually better to leave it to the experts. Here’s what the pros offer:
Safety
Getting on your roof in winter is risky. Icy conditions increase the chances of falls and other accidents. Pros have the right gear and know-how to do the job safely.
Proper Techniques and Equipment
Removing ice dams the wrong way can damage your roof. For instance, using a shovel or other tools might knock off shingles or hurt other roofing materials. Professionals use the right methods, which usually include steam treatments, to remove the ice dam quickly without hurting your roof.
Solutions for Underlying Problems
Experts can check your roof and attic for other issues that might be causing the ice dam problem. They’ll look at insulation, ventilation, and roofing materials to find any underlying issues.
Long-term Fixes
Pros can also give you tips on how to stop ice dams from forming again. They’ll help you fix problems like bad insulation or ventilation so you won’t keep having trouble.
Fixing the Root Causes
While removing ice dams is crucial, addressing the issues that cause them is just as important. Ice dams occur when the temperature of your roof is uneven. For example, the top of your roof may be too warm, causing snow to melt, but when it hits the edge of your roof, that part of the roof may be cooler causing the icy ridge to form.
Here’s how to prevent future ice dams (and their accompanying damages) :
Improve Attic Insulation
Good insulation keeps warm air from leaking into the attic, helping to keep the roof temperature steady and stop snow from melting (only to refreeze into an ice dam).
Boost Ventilation
Proper attic ventilation allows for better airflow, which helps to keep the roof temperature even and reduces the chance of ice dams.
Seal Air Leaks
Find and seal any gaps in your attic that let warm air escape. This includes around vents, chimneys, and other openings.
Maintain Your Roof
Regularly check your roof for damaged or missing shingles, and fix them quickly to prevent water from getting in. This won’t prevent ice dams, but it will make sure that your home stays safe in the event that an ice dam forms.
The Takeaway
Ice dams aren’t just a hassle—they can seriously hurt your home and your budget. If you know what they are, why it’s bad to ignore them, and why calling in the pros is a smart move, you can keep your home in good shape. And don’t forget to fix the underlying issues to keep ice dams from coming back. That way you can focus on fun winter activities like skiing and watching those Hallmark movies.
Need a one-stop-shop for dealing with “ice dam removal near me”? Not only can
BigHorn get rid of ice dams quickly and safely, we can repair any problems with your roof and help you work out a game plan so you don’t spend your winters dealing with ice dams.