Anyone who steps outside their door knows the cold weather that much of the Midwest is experiencing. Antarctica gave us an early Christmas present of miserable cold conditions. In times like these, having a quality roof and gutters is essential for protecting the interior and exterior of your home. A poor-quality roof can lead to a ridge of ice that forms at the roof’s edge, preventing melting snow (or water) from draining off the roof, otherwise known as an ice dam.
Ice dams are a common problem in the winter, especially when temperatures drop. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. Ice dams are often caused by inadequate insulation under the roof. They can also occur if the insulation is saturated with moisture due to improper ventilation or leaking sources inside your home (such as plumbing). There are some ways that homeowners can help prevent ice dams from forming in their homes:
- Insulate your attic well. This will keep the heat in during the winter and prevent ice dams from forming.
- Make sure that the attic is adequately ventilated, especially if you are doing some remodeling work up there. If not, moisture can build up and lead to ice dam formation.
- Install an ice and water barrier before it snows. These barriers help prevent water from getting into your home through small cracks around doors and windows. They should, however, be installed before it snows or rains so that they are not damaged by moisture or freezing temperatures!
- Remove any snow from the roof before it melts. By doing this, you will prevent ice from building up on your home’s structure, which could cause problems later on!
- Make sure that you have properly installed underlayment underneath your shingles. This is your most effective defense against ice dams because its main purpose is to keep water out of your attic.
If left unchecked by a professional, ice dams can cause leaks in your roofing. This can lead to interior damage, such as stained and sagging ceilings, buckled walls and floors, mold growth, and even the collapse of wall sections. If you were to remove ice dams by chipping them away, the problem could worsen. This is because more water would likely enter the home due to the removal of the dam. Letting professionals take care of the issue is always better.
While ice dams can seem like an alarming issue, we are here to help. Sterling Construction experts are trained to resolve these types of problems before they get out of hand. We will also assess your current roof to determine if a replacement roof or a repair is needed to solve the problem. Again, to prevent further damage to your home or roof, please do not try to solve the issue yourself. Let a professional take care of it. Contact us today so that we can send someone to assist you!
