Icicles can be a beautiful winter sight. We like the way they look so much that we hang icicle lights on our houses. However, icicles that are hanging from the edge of our roof may be the sign of an ice dam.
An ice dam can form when water from melting snow freezes along the edge of your roofline. If there is not proper snow roof removal, the developing ice can grow large enough to impact proper drainage of melting snow from your roof. It can then back up under roof shingles and appear in your home.
Ideally, you want to prevent ice dams from forming in the first place. Familyhandyman.com has prevention tips in their article How to Prevent Ice Dams. Here are some steps you can take:
About one-third of the heat loss in the average American home is through the ceiling and into the attic. Most of that loss is due to air leaks. Air leaks happen due to gaps around windows and doors, wiring holes, and vents. Sealing air leaks helps regulate your attic temperature.
Measure your attic insulation levels. Upgrade attic insulation levels if you fall short. You should add more insulation if you have less that 8 inches of insulation and have had ice dam problems in the past.
Proper attic ventilation draws in cold outdoor air and flushes out warmer attic air, cooling your attic and roof in the process. Inadequate ventilation can cause a warm attic, which in turn can cause melting and refreezing.
Not every icicle is an ice dam. Thisoldhouse.com offers an article that explains how an ice dam forms and offers fixes in their article Fast Fixes for Ice Dams.
Here are some steps to determine if that icy overhang indicates more:
Water damage may appear along the ceiling of the exterior walls of your house or in your attic. This can be a sign that an ice dam has formed and penetrated your roof’s membrane.
An icicle does not automatically mean that you have ice dams. If the icicles are confined to the gutters and no water is trapped behind them, an ice dam is generally not formed. However, icicles should be removed when it is safe to do so.
We have covered prevention and identifying whether you have an ice dam. If you do decide you have ice dams, there are steps you need to take to fix the problem. Here are ice dam fixes:
Use a roof rake to remove snow 3 to 4 feet from the edge of your roof. Use a calcium chloride ice melt product. Be sure not to use rock salt or sodium chloride as they can damage your roof. Fill a nylon stocking with the ice melt and place it vertically across the ice dam.
This is generally best left to a professional. This is usually done along with a melt method like the one mentioned above. The edges of the channels that are created by melting can be carefully chipped away with a mallet to widen them and speed draining. Extreme caution needs to be taken as large chunks of ice can break free from the roof and cause property damage if this is not done correctly.
This can only be done by a professional because industrial steaming equipment must be used. The ice dam is “steamed” away under warm water pressure.
A Dynasty Restoration expert can offer a complete evaluation and services executed by professionals who will melt your worries away and ensure ice dams do not impact your home this winter.
Call (402) 932-6419 or complete our online request form.
