People love winters for amazing views and a cozy season. We all want to enjoy the snow, make and decorate some adorable snowmen. While you are having fun with the snow, your roof might not be feeling the same. They look nice for a view, but if not maintained properly, they can damage millions of dollars. If you are still ignoring them, here is everything you should know about ice dams so that you can prepare accordingly.
How Are Ice Dams Formed?
When a massive amount of warm air moves from the attic towards the roof, it melts the snow. This melted snow then moves down towards the edges of your ceiling, which is already submerged in the ice. This melted snow when it reaches the ice on the edges of the roof, it also turns into ice. This keeps happening again and again, and as a result, ice dams are formed. Heavy snowfall, the constant rise of warm air from the attic, and the formation of hotspots due to the roof’s temperature difference facilitate the whole process. The more you ignore their appearance, the heavier or massive they become.
How Do They Affect Your Roof?
As the ice dams continue to grow larger, they reach several layers of the roof. This way, they reach the insulation layer and start affecting or damaging it. Since the ice gets into these layers as water, it keeps moving down and down, making everything very soggy. This moisture will inevitably result in molds’ formation, and that is undoubtedly the last thing you want. Well, it doesn’t even stop at that. As the damage gets deeper and deeper, there are high chances of your roof leaking. This leakage can be through the ceiling, walls, and in every possible way. Hence, all this water can directly affect your house. This way, it costs you dollars and dollars for all the repairs.
How to Detect the Formation of Ice Dams?
Well, the icicles might look nice from a distance on your roof, but that is enough sign for you to start worrying about it. Icicles are formed in the initial stages of the ice dams. This shows how the gutters are clogged, and the roof also absorbes the water. Another way is to spot the uneven melting of snow on the top. If this is happening, then it shows the presence of hotspots on the roof, which are the basis for the formation of ice dams on the top. Timely inspection of the roof by professionals will help you with the early detection of ice dams. Hence, you can be saved from spending lots of dollars.
How to Prevent the Formation of Ice Dams?
One of the main reasons for the formation of ice dams is the hotspots on the roof. These hot spots result due to the difference in temperatures of the top. So, to prevent their formation, one should focus on balancing the roof’s temperature. This can be done by making sure that the vent in the attic is properly working. You can also get additional insulation in the attic to avoid the air from rising. Cleaning your gutters to ensure a smooth flow of water can be a perfect way to prevent the excessive formation of ice dams. This way, they remove the added pressure from the roof. For better suggestions and options, you should contact the right home remodeling contractor so that you can get the best service.
Winters are a good season to enjoy, but they can be challenging for your house. This doesn’t mean that you should not have fun, or you should be worried about it like anything. It just means that you must ensure that you are prepared enough for the possible issues. Get your house inspected or, if needed, remodeled by professionals so that you can avoid any potential problems in the coming season.
