The winter months are here. We think of this as the holiday season, but probably not as ice dam season. Unfortunately, ice dam season is upon us! Ice dams begin when snow melts on an upper, warmer part of your roof and flows down to the colder eave overhang, where it refreezes. The accumulating ice forms a blockage that prevents the snowmelt from flowing off your roof.
Ice dams cause damage because ice begins to back up under your roof shingles, where it melts again, soaking the roof sheathing and leaking into the attic. There, it soaks the insulation which makes it much less effective. It can then leak through your ceiling drywall below and into your living space. In addition to the interior water damage caused, large ice dams can be very heavy and can damage gutters and even present a safety hazard to people below.
Preventive efforts like attic ventilation, attic insulation, and eliminating attic heat sources are best conducted during the spring, summer, or fall. Thisoldhouse.com tells you How to Get Rid of Ice Dams and explains more prevention options. Here are five additional ways to battle them this winter:
Keep Clean Gutters
It has been on every list of preparing your home for winter, but it bears repeating. Get rid of any debris in your gutters before heavy snow arrives. Additionally, make sure your downspouts are functioning properly. Melted snow has nowhere to go if the gutters are clogged.
Get a Roof Rake
Ice dams appear quickly after a heavy snow because the insulating properties of snow can cause melting. Using a long-handled roof rake and removing the snow from at least the lower 4 feet of your roof edge can help prevent ice dams from forming. Never get onto a roof to remove snow in the winter! Be sure to use light pressure to avoid scraping the shingles too hard. Bobvila.com has a list of The Best Roof Rakes of 2022.
Use Ice Melt
If you have an ice dam forming, you can apply calcium chloride or a similar product to the ice. There is an important distinction here. Do not put salt on your roof! Rock salt is highly corrosive and will damage your roof, siding, gutters, and downspouts.
Chip it Off
You may be able to chip away some of the ice by hand if you can reach the eaves with an extension ladder. It is usually not necessary to remove the entire ice dam. You can open up a channel to allow additional meltwater to flow off the roof. This method does require repetition because the ice will quickly build up again and block the channel you have cut. A chisel, ice pick, or small hatchet are the best tools for this work. Do not attempt it if the ice dam is too high to reach safely!
Call a Professional
When ice dam buildup is too much for you to handle, call in a professional. It is not worth risking your safety! Some roofing contractors offer this service during the winter. Professionals are insured and will remove your ice dam using special equipment such as a high-temperature/low-pressure steamer to melt the ice and snow from your roof. You may spend more money than doing it yourself, but you can prevent significant damage to your home. Avoid contractors that use a high-pressure power washer with a steam box which can damage shingles.
If you are experiencing ice dams this winter, we can help you address them now and plan to prevent them so that you avoid another ice dam season next winter! Let the experts at Dynasty Restoration and Roofing help you address your roofing needs. Contact us for a free estimate today!
