What's an Ice Dam?

Anyone who lives in regions that experience snowy climate weather during the cold winter months may know all too well what ice dams are.  Ice dams are thick layers of ice that form on the eaves of houses.  These ice formations are known to cause expensive structural damages such as water leakage, which can lead to water stains on your ceiling, a buildup of mold, plaster damage, paint damage, and drywall damage.  Additionally, ice dams can also loosen roof shingles, which means out of pocket expenses needed to replace shingles and repair the roof and other structural damages your home incurs.

What Causes an Ice Dam?

Causes of an ice dam pertain to snowfall, which creates an accumulation of snow on the eaves of a slanted roof. If the attic and roof of your home lacks proper insulation, warm air seeps out and melts the snow, which in turn creates melt water. The melted water runs down the length of the roof, eventually creating ice dams on the eaves and guttering of the house. The eaves and guttering of homes typically lack necessary insulation and warming techniques, allowing ice to build on these colder areas. These ice dams prevent snow from melting off a roof sufficiently enough. 

Insufficient snow melt is what eventually causes water damage to the home.  The ice dam acts as a barrier so the snow that accumulates on the roof of a home will eventually cause roof and other structural damages.  These ice dams can worsen over time if left untreated.  Continued melt off from further snow falls can actually add to the ice dams, making them larger and more troublesome.  Thankfully, you can hire trained professionals to remove ice dams for you. These trained professionals have specialized steam equipment so they can quickly, easily, and safely remove these ice formations, allowing the proper flow of melt water from your roof.

How to Get Rid of Existing Ice Dams

There are a number of ways to get rid of an ice dam.  First, you will want to get rid of any snow accumulation on your roof.  You can use either a push broom or roof rake to do so, but be careful not to slip and fall.  Make sure all of your channels are clear to allow sufficient flow of melt water.  It is best to hire a professional to take care of ice dams for you.  They have all of the specialized equipment necessary to treat the problem quickly, efficiently, and safely.  Although you may manage the problem on your own, you run the risk of injury.

Products that Prevent Ice Dams

Products that prevent ice dams are those that provide your attic and roof with insulation, thus preventing any heat loss.  You will also want to buy products that plug or patch any leaks in your roof where heat escapes.  Get something that will allow you to clean snow off the roof and out of gutters and other draining channels so that you can prevent the buildup of ice dams.  Ask your local roof repair professionals for more advice on how to prevent and repair damages from ice dams.