Ice dams are a sneaky way for weather to impact your roof and home as the damage isn’t always immediately obvious. Ice dams form at the lowest points of your roof and create a barrier that stops proper drainage of snow as it melts. All that water has to go somewhere and so it will force its way through any small gap in your roof it can find or force its way between shingles. The ice dam will eventually melt on its own but then you’ll be left with water damage inside your home where it’s dripped down from the roof and impacted your insulation and ceilings. If you don’t spot it in time, water damage can even spread to your furniture and belongings. That’s why ice dams are dangerous; they pose a risk to your whole home.

Ice dams are common in areas that have heavy snow in winter. The snow goes through freezing and melting cycles as the temperature changes from day to night. The snow that’s melted underneath in the day begins to drip down only to freeze again when it gets to the edge forming the ice dam with snow on top that has nowhere to go. To better understand the impact of weather on your roofing and find effective solutions for harsh winter conditions, explore insights and services from Four Leaf Roofing & Windows.

How to Prevent and Remove Ice Dams

So is there a way to stop dangerous ice dams forming? Not exactly if you live in an area where they’re common but you can reduce your risk. They’re more likely to happen on roofs where the temperature differs across it as the melting and freezing cycles will be uneven making the situation worse. Improving the insulation of your home can help regulate your roof temperature and will help keep your house warmer as a great bonus. Getting in a contractor to put in ventilation under your eaves can help too as this keeps the air at the top of your house colder reducing those risky cycles of melting and freezing but without impacting the heat in the living areas of your home. If you live nearby, Kenosha roofing contractors can provide additional insights and assistance to ensure your roof is winter-ready.

There are a few maintenance tips for the winter that you can undertake too to try and minimize your roof ice dam risks. Check your gutters before snowfall begins in your area and remove any debris, you should also check throughout winter if you can safely. If gutters are clear for drainage this goes some way towards stopping the melted snow getting backed up and freezing into an ice dam. Investing in a roof rake is also a good idea. This allows you to remove the bulk of the snow from your roof without the danger of leaning a ladder on an icy surface. Keeping your roof as clear as you can means there will be minimal water trying to drain off, so your risk of ice dams is reduced. The weight of accumulated snow can cause other roof problems, so you’ll save yourself from this worry too. If you see icicles forming on the edge of your roof this is the start of an ice dam so if they’re small you can gently knock these off with your roof rake too. If managing ice dam prevention feels uncertain and you're in the area, roofers in Franklin and Racine roofers can provide reliable guidance to help protect your home this winter.

When you Should Consider an Ice Dam Removal Service

Not everyone is able to follow these prevention steps and sometimes an ice dam will form anyway, especially as weather can be unpredictable. If you notice a frozen block has formed along any part of the edge of your roof it’s time to call in the professionals. Dealing with an ice dam as soon as you notice it while it’s small is the best way to prevent damage to your home. As we’ve said, leaning a ladder on ice is risky but there are ways for roofing companies to mitigate those risks, so this is a job best left to a specialist. When they come, they’re likely to use hot water directed at the thickest parts of the ice dam to break it down and melt it away. This may seem like a tedious process but it’s the best way to prevent damage to your roof in the removal. You can also discuss ice dam removal tips with them such as installing a heat cable once the warmer months come round to protect your home next cold season.

Ice dams do pose a risk to homeowners but staying vigilant and dealing with them before they become too large can help keep your roof clear all winter with no water damage inside your home.