Ice Dams - A Roof's Worst Nightmare

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

Living in Maine, we’re all used to the conditions Winter brings with it; cold temperatures, high winds, and plenty of ice and snow. When the snow begins to fly, people ensure their vehicles are prepped and their snowblowers are tuned up…but they don’t always stop to think about the roof over their head. Of all of the things Winter brings with it, the most troublesome can be ice dams.

An ice dam is, quite simply, a mass of ice that forms along the lower edge of rooflines; as snow melts on the upper, warmer parts of the roof, it runs toward the colder eave overhang and freezes.  As it accumulates, it creates a blockage preventing melting snow from flowing off of the roof. If left unattended, they can easily weigh hundreds of pounds, and cause meltwater to back up under the shingles, flowing down into the structure of your home. They can easily cause serious damage to your roof, gutters, paint, insulation, and interior surfaces.

The issue of ice dams stems directly from the space inside the attic or the underside of the roof deck. When the air in this space is above the freezing point, it begins to heat the shingles and melts the snow on the roof. If the external air is below freezing - which it typically is during the winter months – this water will eventually refreeze as it reaches the overhanging eave structure.

Ice dams can be prevented by ensuring good attic ventilation via vent systems and adequate insulation above the living spaces below the attic or roof deck, as well as by removing potential heat sources (such as older recessed lighting). If these methods aren’t practical, installing electric heat cables along the edge of the roof and ensuring your gutters are clean  are viable alternatives.

If you find yourself battling ice dams this winter, there are several options to minimize or eliminate them:

• Use A Roof Rake After Heavy Snowfalls
  • Ice damns can form very quickly when large amounts of snow fall quickly, due to snow’s natural insulating properties. Removing snow from at least the lower four feet of the roof’s edge can help prevent ice dams from forming.
• Use Ice-Melt Products
  • If you notice an ice dam beginning to form, applying calcium chloride or other ice-melt products can help break them up
• Chip Off Ice
  • While roof rakes and ice-melt products are most advisable, chipping away at the ice by hand is an alternative solution. Removing the entire damn is not typically necessary, because creating channels for meltwater to flow through is often sufficient. This method does, however, require repeated work; as the ice builds up again, channels previously cut will be sealed and will need to be reopened.
• Hire A Professional
  • If all else fails and the ice damn becomes too much to handle, hiring a specialist is the best solution. They have the equipment – such as specialized steamers – to melt the ice and snow and prevent significant damage to your home.

If you discover the ice dams too late and realize meltwater has already backed up into your home, there are still options to mitigate the damage. Once the ice is removed and any potential roof issues are repaired, the crew at SERVPRO of Bangor/Ellsworth is equipped to tackle any water intrusion situation.

No matter how many preventative measures you take, disasters will still unfortunately strike. When you do find yourself in the middle of a water damage, don't hesitate to reach out to the experts at SERVPRO of Bangor/Ellsworth!

Call Us Today – (207) 947-0400