Winter Roof Prep: How to Prevent Ice Dams
Cold months can bring hazardous conditions, and if you have seen the long icicles hanging from your roof, this can turn into a risky situation. With preparation, you can reduce the risk and damage they can cause and avoid expensive roof repair.
Ice dams build up from snow that has melted on the roof and refrozen at another point, creating a significant amount of ice buildup. This becomes problematic because roofs have different temperature points, so the remaining water can pool where the block is and find its way into cracks and crevices, causing water damage.
What Causes Ice Dams?
There are several reasons storm damage repair may be needed if ice dams form, including:
● You do not have enough insulation
● Temperature fluctuations
● A hot attic with little ventilation
● Roofing issues like leaks
All of these factors can combine to create the perfect environment for an ice dam to form and cause costly water damage to your home, requiring roofing services. In addition, if the water is left unaddressed, this can lead to mold and mildew growth from unhealthy air quality.
What Steps Can You Take to Protect Your Home?
To create long-term resolutions, ensure that your ceiling has little to no leaks to let warm air escape into the attic. Seal any issues you have found increased insulation between the attic and house space to cut down on heat loss.
Another option is to install an efficient ventilation set up on the roof. Installing a system will not only help keep temperatures consistent but promote a drying effect in the space.
In addition, hiring a professional to assist with weatherization can be beneficial for the heat transference issue.
Immediate Actions You Can Take to Prevent Ice Dams
The first step is to ensure you are removing the excess snow load from your roof. A specialized tool called a roof rake can help to remove the residual but use caution because they can damage the roof material.
If the home has water flowing into the house's structure, creating paths in the dam can help ease the stress. On a warmer day, use a hose with warm water and create channels in the dam to support the buildup release.
Choose the Right Roofing Company for Your Home
When it comes to understanding the importance of quality roofing services, Lightning Restorations is your top choice. We specialize in storm damage restoration and pride ourselves on offering the highest quality customer service in the Apple Valley area.
Lightning Restoration provides free inspections and 30 years of professional experience for our clients. Give us a call at 651-460-9407 or click on the link to set up your free quote today!