Winter snowfall can be comforting and even picturesque. However, if you're a homeowner, the beautiful blanket of white often hides a roof ice dam. Roof ice dams are dangerous because they trap melting snow, forcing water into your home, causing damage.
As per Murphy Insurance Agency, one in four homes in colder areas experience ice dams each winter. These statistics highlight the troubles a lot of homeowners go through during winter. Knowing about this threat is the first step toward protecting your investment.
How Does Ice Damming Work?
An ice dam is a crest of ice that forms at the edge of your roof, stopping melting snow from coming off the roof. This water often remains behind, creating a dam that leaks into your home. Here is what causes a roof ice dam:
Hot Attic
Roof ice dams can form because of a hot attic. It happens when your home isn't energy-efficient in the following ways:
- You don't have proper insulation in your attic.
- You don't have proper ventilation in your attic.
- You have penetrations through your walls or ceilings.
These issues in the attic make your roof hot, creating ideal conditions for ice dams to form. You can reduce your chances of getting ice dams through professional home insulation techniques.
Fluctuating Temperatures
If the outdoor temperatures are slightly above freezing during the day and below freezing during the night, your roof may have an ice dam. Once you notice these fluctuations, it may be time for a little winter roof maintenance. You can contact New Heights Roofing experts to remove as much snow from your roof as possible.
Radiant Heat from the Sun
Sometimes, temperatures can be below freezing at night and during the day. However, ice dams will form if the radiant heat from the sun melts the snow on your roof.
Are Ice Dams an Emergency?
Ice dams lead to water leakage, causing damage to your property. Let's look at some dangers of roof ice dams:
Compromised Roofing Structure
Ice dams are a danger to your roof. The damage often becomes visible through water infiltration. Since dams prevent the melted snow from flowing off the roof, water gets under the roofing materials.
If left unchecked, these materials will weaken and deteriorate over time. With the integrity of the roof compromised, you will have to hire pros to handle roof repair for ice dams.
Interior Water Infiltration
Ice dams allow water to sneak into the inside areas of your property. They force water:
- Down the roof shingles
- Through walls
- Into vents and openings
This water intrusion can lead to mold growth.
Increased Energy Consumption
Reports from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show that a typical U.S. home uses about 10,500 kWh of electricity each year. This energy consumption isn't optimal for your wallet. Unfortunately, ice dams contribute to these costly expenses.
They often interfere with the drainage of melting snow, increasing heat loss from your home's interior. Too much heat loss forces your heating system to work harder to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, increasing your energy consumption and bills.
Safety Concerns
Ice dams are a threat to cold-weather home safety. The sudden release of melting snow and ice from your roof's edge can happen without warning, injuring your loved ones and damaging property.
Electrical Hazards
As the ice melts, it may interact with electrical systems, such as electrical conduits. This situation may cause your home to face electrical malfunctions.
How Do You Know If You Have Ice Damming?
Ice dams cause severe damage to your roof. Here is how you know you have an ice dam problem:
- Interior water damage
- Ice on exterior walls
- Gutters not draining
- Icicles form at the roof or gutter edge
- Snow melts high on the roof, but not low
As a homeowner, you need to pay attention to these issues. Once you do, get in touch with ice dam prevention experts to deal with the issue before it gets out of hand.
How Do You Prevent Ice Dams?
Ice dam prevention reduces your risk of experiencing roof damage. Here are some prevention tips:
Snow Removal
If you notice snow on your roof, remove it. Snow removal is an easy and cost-effective way of dealing with roof ice dams.
Ventilate Roof Eaves and Ridge
Ventilate your roof. It will help circulate cold outside air under the whole roof, cooling the roof deck and preventing snow from melting and refreezing at the eaves.
Invest in Home Insulation Techniques
Ice dams won't be a problem if you have good insulation. With proper insulation, your home's heat remains in the living space during winter, preventing snow on your roof from melting unevenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Best Roof Insulation for Ice Dam Prevention?
The type of insulation matters if you want to stop roof ice dams. Home builders will often use fiberglass bats. However, they may not be completely effective.
As a result, energy experts will recommend loose-fill, blown-in cellulose insulation. This type of insulation reaches areas that fiberglass bats can't.
How to Turn a Cold Roof Into a Warm Roof?
To change from a cold roof to a warm roof, evaluate the existing roof to find out if it can be converted to a warm roof. Next, plan and design the new insulation system. This process involves choosing the type of insulation, its thickness, and the type of waterproof membrane.
Lastly, install your new insulation system. You have to remove the existing roof tiles before you install your insulation.
Can You Tarp a Roof for Winter?
If your roof is vulnerable to winter changes, you can cover it with a vinyl tarp. These tarps offer immediate protection, ensuring your roof can withstand harsh weather.
Tarps also block ice dams. As a result, it can save you money over time. You don't have to deal with extensive water damage during winter.
Protect Your Home From a Roof Ice Dam
The main damage from a roof ice dam is water leakage. Knowing when you have an ice dam can help you solve the issue before it worsens. With winter around the corner, you can call roofing experts to help you protect your investment.
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