Prevent Ice Dams Now

11/5/2018 (Permalink)

Although it is a bit early for ice dams to be forming on your roof, now is the time to prevent ice dams from happening and leaving you and your family out in the cold!

What is an ice dam?
An ice dam is chunks of ice that form at the edge of your roof and prevents the melting snow from draining off your roof.

How do ice dams form?
Ice dams form when there is snow on the roof. Your roof temperature is not always even. When the higher parts of the roof are above 32ºF and the lower parts of your roof are below 32ºF and the temperature outside is also below 32ºF over a period of time the water from the top flows down and then freezes at the colder part, the lower part of your roof, and forms a dam. The longer these conditions continue, the larger the dam can form. This dam then blocks the rest of the snow that is melting from draining off the roof.

What damage can an ice dam cause?
The water that has backed up needs to go somewhere. When this water is trapped, it can leak into walls, attics, ceilings, insulation and other areas. This water unnoticed or not taken care of can leak to mold in your home causing allergy, respiratory and other health problems.

How can I best prevent an ice dam from forming?

1. For immediate action, clear the snow from your roof by using a roof rake or hiring a professional
2. Clear your gutters from leaves and debris during the fall, before the colder temperature start to set in.
3. Roof ventilation can help keep the temperature of your roof more uniform. Ridge and soffit vents can help with this
4. Make sure your attic is sealed and insulated
5. Make sure that your ducts for the kitchen, bathroom or laundry are sealed, insulated and lead outside through the roof, walls and never though the soffit.
6. Install steel flashing around chimneys
7. Use a fire-stop sealant to caulk and seal electrical cable and vent pipes

Fall is the best time to take preventative action now to preventing ice dams from forming and causing damage to your home this winter.

Should an ice dam form on your home this winter and cause water damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County has the equipment and professionally trained team to clean up the damage and make it “Like it never even happened.®”