Ice Dams-What are they and how do we help?

1/23/2024 (Permalink)

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Winter is here. This means there's no better time than the present to stop ice dams - before they form. Ice dams are formed when the temperature of your roof goes above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, typically caused by a warm attic. At this higher temperature, the warm attic air melts the snow on top of the roof, causing water to travel down the slopes and valleys of your roof until it hits the edge, where the air is still below freezing. The water turns into ice, and as more melted snow follows its path, it builds, and an ice dam is formed. 

The key to prevention is to keep your attic and roof cold. 

1-Start in the attic, installing and adding proper insulation. If you're not sure if you have enough, check the depth of what's there. Building codes require 12 to 14 inches of insulation. If you have 8 inches or less, it's time to add more. It reduces conductive heat loss from your home into your attic, which warms the roof.

2- Look at your ventilation system. Attic ventilation is designed to let in outside air, which is beneficial during the winter months. It draws in colder air and removes the warmer air. Examine your attic to check your level of ventilation. Install any soffit vents required to reach the proper level of ventilation. 

3-Preventing heat loss through your ceiling is essential as well. One-third of your home's heat loss is through the ceiling into the attic. Close your attic leaks by raking back the insulation to locate leaks, and plug them with foam or caulk. Also, seal air ducts inside the attic, bathroom and kitchen fan vents if present, and the attic doors or hatches.

If you need to know how to prevent water damage from ice dams after you've already had a dam form, there are several steps you can take to stop the flow of water inside your home. 

If you're not sure whether you have water damage from ice dams, warning signs include:

• Peeling paint
• Sagging drywall
• Stains on windows and doors

If you have an ice dam, it needs to be removed, whether it's causing water damage inside the home or not. Never try to pull the ice dam down off the roof, as it strongly adheres to your shingles and removal in this way will damage them. You also shouldn't try to remove the ice dam with a chisel and hammer for the same reason.

 Ice dams should be removed by a trained professional only.

If the water damage is there, contain the leak with a bucket and towels. 

-Next, change the temperature of the attic by opening the vents and windows. Making the attic cold allows the roof to refreeze. If it's safe for you to do so, lower the thermostat to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, close the attic doors or hatchways tightly and seal the edges with foam or tape, which encloses the cold air inside the attic.

If you have any of the warning signs of water damage from ice dams, take the steps above and stop the water from flowing. Next, call a water damage restoration company like SERVPRO.

A reputable company will provide mitigation and restoration to remove the water and dry out the affected areas. 

It only takes a small amount of water to create a lot of damage.

Prepare your home during the summer to prevent water damage from ice dams during the winter and call a professional as soon as you notice the intrusion.

Call SERVPRO of Eagan/Apple Valley for all your restoration, mitigation and reconstruction needs. 

We make it “Like It Never Even Happened”

Contact us today at 651.330.7271