Ice Dams
Key Takeaways About Ice Dams
Icicles are dangerous. The only purpose they serve is to hide the fact that you nearly shot your eye out with your Red Rider BB gun. These stalactites also indicate the presence of ice dams.
Ice dams can cause substantial roof and sub-roof water damage.
The experts at TK Roofing And Gutters can assist in preventing ice jams and maintaining the safety of your roof during the winter.
Most people envision a snowy scene with a fireplace, smoke billowing from the chimney, and moonlight shining off of icicles hanging from the eaves when they think of a winter wonderland.
Icicles may be a feature of a gorgeous winter scene, but they may also indicate a threat to your roof and home.
Those icicles that sparkle in the winter sun may be an indication of ice dams.
What is an Ice Dam?
Ice dams are a ridge of ice at the edge of your roof that prevents melting snow and ice from draining down your roof properly.
Before the next snowfall, homeowners should take measures to prevent ice dams and maintain the integrity of their roofs throughout the winter.
Why do ice dams form?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms when excess snow melts on a warmer portion of a roof and flows down to the colder eave overhang, where it refreezes.
As ice accumulates, it provides a barrier that prevents additional melted snow from running off the roof edge.
This obstruction causes ice to accumulate under your shingles, eventually melting into the roof sheathing and leaking into the attic.
It penetrates the insulation and can enter the living space through the ceiling.
Large ice dams may be quite heavy, so in addition to causing water damage, they can also damage your gutters and put persons below in danger.
Ice dams arise when temperatures in the space between the underside of the roof deck and the attic are warmer than the surrounding air.
Warm air beneath the surface of the roof melts snow and causes water to run down the roofline by heating the shingles.
From there, it becomes frozen again.
Snow is an insulator, hence excessive snowfall causes or exacerbates the formation of ice dams.
Warm air becomes trapped beneath the snow layer, causing it to melt.
The prevention of ice dams is a question of elementary thermal physics.
When the air in the attic can remain as cold as the air outside, the snow on the rooftop will not melt, and there will not be enough water to build ice dams.
Recognizing Ice Damming Roof Damage
If you are concerned about ice dams forming on your roof during the winter, you should be aware of the indicators of water leaks so that you can assess any damage.
To determine the extent of the damage, it may be necessary to have a roofing contractor provide an estimate.
In the interim, here are some do-it-yourself things to do:
Take Photographs
Take a couple photographs of your home's exterior. These images can be used as a guide to identify indicators of water damage within the structure.
If you believe you know the position of an ice dam on your roof, examine for stains on your ceilings and walls near the ice dam.
Keep Watch Over Your Attic
Climb into your attic and inspect the rafters, attic floor, and roof underlayment for leaks and water stains.
It can be beneficial to mark these locations so that you can readily locate them again.
Examine Your Chimney
As you prepare your chimney for Santa's visit, check for signs of ice formation at the point where the chimney joins the roof.
Ice and melting water can potentially cause harm if the flashing is loose or not properly sealed.
Try to identify, while in your attic, how heat is escaping around your chimney. If daylight can be seen through the seal, it must be repaired promptly.
How To Stop Ice Dams
Keeping your roof cool is the most effective approach to prevent ice dams from forming. If your roof is cool, snow will not melt and ridges of ice will not develop.
Even in the midst of winter, maintaining a cold roof is not as simple as it may appear.
Fortunately, we have some suggestions for preventing ice dams.
Attic insulation prevents warm air from escaping into the attic.
A well-ventilated attic maintains a temperature close to the outside air. If the snow does not melt, there should be no ice dams.
To prevent ice dams from forming in the first place on your roof and roof valleys, you need an adequate ventilation system.
If necessary, enhance attic ventilation, add insulation, and seal air leaks.
These are not quick fixes, and they will likely require the assistance of a professional roofer.
Long-term, however, there will be no ice dams on your roof, and your home will also consume less energy. A win-win situation.
Here are ten steps for preventing ice dams:
Improve ventilation. The initial step is to maintain airflow under the roof. Your roof ridge and soffit vents should do this, but they will require periodic inspection by a specialist. A roofer may need to install baffles to increase airflow and provide a clear channel for the air.
Cover the entrance to your attic. Those without a sealed attic hatch must use a weather stripping cap to prevent heat from escaping into the attic. The last thing you want is for your home's warm air to enter your attic. This air will melt snow from the roof, which could result in the formation of ice dams.
Investigate your exhaust systems. Typically, your home will have exhaust vents in the bathroom, kitchen, and dryers. These vents exit via the exterior walls or roof. If they are vented to the soffit, this must be changed to eliminate ice jams permanently.
Examine the insulation. Check to see if your attic needs additional insulation. Maintaining adequate attic insulation keeps your home warmer and reduces energy consumption. It also prevents cool air from escaping the attic.
Install a new chimney cap. The majority of chimneys contain a metal strip that prevents water from entering the home via the chimney. If yours does not have one, add one and seal any openings through which ice, water, or chilly wind could enter. Be sure to use fire-safe products.
Caulk leaks. Wherever electrical wires, vent pipes, satellite dishes, or other objects pierce the roof, holes and air leaks can occur; caulk these areas with a fire-stop sealant to keep as much air out as possible.
Examine the ducts. Your ducts should be adequately insulated and sealed. Inspect the heating ducts of older homes to ensure that they are not feeding heat into the attic.
Check your lighting. If you have unsealed can lights or any other form of light fixture, heat is entering your attic. You could also risk starting a fire in your home. Make these lights safer by replacing them with IC-rated fixtures, which allow insulation to touch them directly.
Add a water and ice barrier. When replacing your roof, you ought to install an ice-and-water barrier. This is an excellent safety measure that is now mandated in many locations. An ice-and-water barrier is costly if you're not replacing your entire roof, but it's the ideal time to install one if you are.
Maintain your roofing. Maintaining a roof in perfect condition is one of the most effective strategies to prevent ice dams. Ensure that you always have sufficient insulation to prevent warm air from escaping.
What If You Have An Ice Dam?
Ice dams are not necessarily an issue on their own.
The majority of the damage is due to leaks.
If you do not observe any symptoms of water seepage caused by an ice dam, you may not need to take any action.
Then, when the temperature rises, employ the preventative methods we described before.
Ice dam prevention begins in the spring, summer, and autumn. Once winter has arrived, there is little that can be done to remove ice jams.
The best thing you can do if you detect an ice dam or the leaks it causes is to have a roofing expert evaluate your roof when the weather warms up in the spring.
You should photograph and document the locations of the ice dams so your roofer can inspect them.
There are tools, such as ice rakes, designed to help you remove snow and ice blockages off your roof. However, if you use it to break up ice, you risk causing damage to your shingles.
Contact TK Roofing And Gutters
Home upkeep requires that you prevent ice dams during the winter.
Keeping your roof in good condition will save you a great deal of worry and stress, as it protects your property from the elements.
If you are unsure of your ability to prevent ice dams, you should always get assistance from a skilled roofer in your region.
TK Roofing and Gutters has been assisting individuals like you maintain a winter-ready roof for years.
If you require a professional roof inspection, assistance with roof repairs, or a complete roof replacement, contact TK Roofing and Gutters immediately.
We can examine your roof and provide you with a FREE ESTIMATE to guarantee that it is in good condition for the winter.