A Winter Wonderland Can Mean Winter Woes For Your Home

The first snowflakes of a winter storm are a beautiful powdery white dusting. And then the snow starts to accumulate on your sidewalk, on your driveway, and on your roof. Soon after, icicles begin to form along your gutter. 

This may look like a picturesque winter scene, but in fact, it’s a warning sign that you probably have an ice dam. The phenomenon known as ice damming is a vicious winter cycle that can ruin your shingles, destroy your gutters, and allow water to leak into your home. 

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a block of ice that forms at the edge of your roof and in your gutters, which prevents water from draining off your roof. Instead, the gutters freeze over, trapping water inside the ice. The water forces its way under your shingles and into your home. 

How Does an Ice Dam Form? 

Ice dams form due to a lack of insulation and ventilation in your attic. In an ideal world, the roof is a cold space, and the snow naturally melts from the top down, draining into the gutters and down the downspouts. Ice dams occur when there are warm pockets in the attic.

Warm air gets into your attic from the living spaces inside your home if there isn’t enough insulation in the ceiling. That warm air begins to melt the snow from the bottom instead of the top. This causes the ice dam.

The water drains to the edge of the roof and then meets cold air, where it refreezes in your gutter. Eventually, your gutter fills up with ice. Once the gutter can no longer function, the ice backs up onto the roof, trapping water inside the ice. This is the ice dam.

The trapped water has no place to go, so it forces up under the shingles. Once the water backs up into your shingles, the water leaks into your attic and walls. 

Are Ice Dams Bad?

Ice dams may look pretty on the exterior of your house, but in fact, they’re very dangerous to your home. From wet, damaged insulation to sagging ceilings and walls to damaged gutters and shingles, ice dams can wreak havoc on your home. 

Ice dams are the number one winter cause of roof leaks, so it’s important to know the signs of an ice dam and how to prevent ice damming. Ignoring an ice dam can cause roof damage, water leaks, mold growth, and will eventually compromise the structural integrity of your roofing system.

Ice Dam Removal

Do you have an ice dam? There are a couple of ways to remove ice dams temporarily. Unfortunately, until you fix the ventilation and insulation issues that are allowing hot air to build up in the attic, you will continue to have ice dams. 

Using ice melt or pouring hot water over the ice will help melt it enough so that the gutters start working properly. 

To lessen the amount of snow on your roof and slow down the ice dam, you may want to remove some of the snow on the roof. Gently rake or brush the snow off of your roof, being careful not to disturb the shingles. 

While both of these options work in the short term, the ice dam will eventually reform unless you take steps to prevent the ice dam. 

The easiest way to remove an ice dam is to contact a professional who will remove the ice dam, fix the leak, and suggest ways to prevent the ice dam from reforming. 

Preventing Ice Dams

The first thing you can do to prevent ice dams is to add insulation to your attic.  You may also require ventilation, such as a ridge vent on your roof.  A professional can evaluate your situation and tell you how to best prevent ice dams. 

Keeping the snow off your roof is another way to prevent ice dams. You can also help prevent ice dams by making sure your gutters are clean. Sticks, leaves, and debris can help clog the gutters, giving the ice even less room to melt.  Here are more tips for winterizing your roof and keeping ice dams at bay.

Can Ice Dams Damage My Roof Permanently?

Yes, unfortunately, ice dams will cause permanent damage to your roof if the issue is not addressed. Ice dams can break shingles and expose the roof deck (which is plywood) to moisture. This can lead to cracking, curling or loss of more shingles. The roof deck can also start to rot, which compromises the structure of your roof. The weight of ice dams can break, bend, or detach gutters.

Inside, water damage in your attic can lead to mold and mildew which can spread to your walls and ceiling. The water from the leak can also soak your attic insulation, which reduces its effectiveness. Without proper attic insulation, your home is not only prone to more ice damming, it also increases your energy bills.

What Is the Cost to Remove an Ice Dam?

The cost to remove an ice dam can vary significantly depending on the extent of the damage and the work required to address it. At Volpe Enterprises, Inc., we approach every situation individually. Factors like the size of the ice dam, accessibility, and the damage to your roof or gutters can influence the final cost.

To provide an accurate estimate, we recommend scheduling an onsite appointment with our service and repair team. During this visit, our experienced technicians will assess the ice dam and any related issues. We’ll create a game plan for repairs that fits your budget.

Ice Damming

Ice damming is a serious problem for homeowners over the winter. Keep a look out for long icicles on your roof, frozen gutters, and other signs of ice damming. Increasing your insulation and ventilation is the best way to solve the issue. 

Think you have a roof leak or an ice dam? Contact Volpe Enterprises today. 

Worried that we can’t replace your roof in the winter? Read this article to learn the reason that replacing your roof might be the best thing you do this winter.