Colder Weather and Your Roof – Preventing Damages
November 7, 2018Preventing Frozen Pipes This Winter
November 21, 2018Icier weather is upon us and with it can come roof damages. Disaster Cleanup Services is here to give you some information to help you avoid ice dams and structural damages. Ice dams are a common occurrence but can be easily remedied. Below we will discuss what an ice dam is and the best way to avoid them.
What is an ice dam?
Ice dams are ridges of ice that can form at the edge of your roof. It prevents snowmelt from being able to drain off your roof. This allows the water to refreeze and continue to grow the ice dam. Ice dams happen when there is snow on your roof, and the roof warms enough for the snow to melt. If the temperature is below 32 outside, then the water will freeze repeatedly, creating a massive piece of ice on your roof.
How do I prevent an ice dam?
There are numerous ways to avoid ice dams. The first one is through snow removal; If the snow is removed from your roof, there will be no snow to melt and no way for ice dams to form. More and more roofing experts are leaning towards weatherization techniques to ensure your roof is safe from ice dams. With an airtight home, you are less likely to have ice dams. There are also ice melt devices that can be attached to your roof. This makes it a lot easier to manage snow loads and ice dams.
What are the effects of an ice dam?
Ice dams can cause significant damages to your home. Ice dams cause water to leak into your home. The water can create major mold and mildew growth. Water that is not removed quickly can also cause structural damages like rot. Ice dams can easily destroy the integrity of your roof and cause water damages inside your home.
It is essential that you monitor your roof and ensure that snow is removed regularly. If you see an ice dam forming, call a professional to have it removed. Professionals should remove ice dams and snow because of the dangers.