Don’t Let Ice Dams Damage Your Roof

Ice dams can cause major issues if you allow them to remain in place. It can be tricky to remove them, so it is ideal to speak to a roof installation expert to get help removing them and making any roofing repairs that might be necessary. Having a better understanding of this problem will help you to take the proper action when necessary.

 

What is an Ice Dam?

 

An ice dam occurs on the edge of a roof. Once it is in place, it stops water from draining off. As the water accumulates on your roof, it can seep into your home and cause further problems and damage to your home’s internal structures, including the walls, insulation and ceilings.

 

Removing Ice Dams

 

The most common ways to remove this obstruction is to melt it with specific chemicals, such as calcium chloride, or to carefully chip away the ice until the water and melting snow can freely flow off of your roof. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages and should be performed using great caution. It is best to have a roof installation expert remove ice dams to ensure that it is done properly. Improper removal can actually cause further damage to your roof.

 

Preventing Ice Dams

 

To save time and damage, the best strategy is to prevent ice dams from forming in the first place. Keep an eye on snow and ice accumulating on your roof and if it starts to accumulate, especially on the edges of your roof, institute removal methods immediately. Make sure that your roof stays cold so that snow cannot melt and then refreeze into ice. This can be done using more insulation in your attic and utilizing soffit vents.

 

As you can see ice dams are something you want to be on the lookout for. Consult a roofing contractor or roof installation expert for help in removing and preventing them.