What are Ice Dams?
Ice dams can be a nuisance to your roof and your home. They are caused when snow cannot properly melt off of your roof, usually because of gutter clogs or other issues. The trapped water pools and re-freezes, forming a mass of ice that further hinders any water runoff.
What Can Ice Dams do to My Roof?
Ice dams can cause many problems for your home, including but not limited to:
> Leaks into your home
> Damage to roof and its components, such as cracks
> Blocking of any further ice/snow melting properly
> Water backup under your shingles
Additionally, if left untreated, these problems can snowball (no pun intended) into even bigger issues, and that’s something you really want to avoid.
How do I know if I have Ice Dams?
Aside from any visible damage that you might see, such as leaks into your home, there are a few different ways you can tell if ice dams are causing a problem for your roof.
> Hotspots: Look at your roof and see if you notice any spots where snow has melted more quickly than other spots, such as in skylights, chimneys, and other roof vents. If the snow is melting here, it means that warm air is escaping from your home.
> Icicles: You know the little icicles that sometimes hang from gutters? Those are actually a bad sign and should be addressed immediately.
> Buildup: See if you notice snow building up in areas such as roof valleys. This could be a sign of a blockage caused by ice dams.
> Water Stains: If you notice wet stains on your ceiling and/or rafters, this could be an indicator of a leak caused by water pooling and backing up under your shingles.
> Gutter Clogs: If your gutters weren’t cleaned out before snow started falling, a clog may be to blame. Clogged gutters are another cause of ice dams, as the water that cannot escape is forced to pool on the roof and re-freeze.
If you find that you have roof damage caused by ice dams, contact us today for a free estimate!
More information about ice dams on your roof:
> How To Remove An Ice Dam
> Preventing The Build Up Of Ice Dams