Believe it or not, the holiday season is right around the corner. As you fire up the heater, prepare your Thanksgiving feast, and watch for falling snowflakes, don’t forget to consider how you’re going to protect your home — especially your roof — from the winter weather.
The colder months bring snow, ice, wind, and unpredictable temperatures, putting your roof at risk of forming dangerous ice dams. As a ridge of ice that forms on the edge of the roof, an ice dam prevents melted snow from draining off the roof, causing the water to back up. This accumulated water can infiltrate your home, damaging your ceiling, walls, insulation, and more.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how ice dams form, what makes them such a threat, and how you can protect your home this winter.
How Do Ice Dams Form?
You’re probably familiar with the fact that hot air rises. During the winter, when you’re using your furnace to heat your home, the warmer air makes its way to the upper floors, and the heat eventually escapes through the roof. Water along the edge of the roof has more exposure to exterior temperatures and less surface contact with the warm home.
If the heat escapes unevenly, with the temperature of the lower section of the roof below freezing and the higher sections above freezing, frozen ridges known as ice dams can form on the roof’s edge. When an ice dam is present, liquid water from higher up on the roof runs downward and has nowhere to go, causing it to sit there until it re-freezes.
The ice dam grows as it’s fed by the melting snow, exacerbating the issue. This cycle continues until eventually, the ice dam grows so big that the water has nowhere to go except into the little cracks and openings in your roof and into your home.
The Destructive Effects of Ice Dams
Water damage can quickly become a serious problem. Mold and mildew growth is a common result of roof leaks, which doesn’t just put your belongings at risk of getting ruined — mold and mildew can also compromise the structural integrity of your home and cause respiratory problems.
Preventing Ice Dams on Your Roof
In order to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof, you need to understand their possible causes. Keep these tips in mind as you prepare your home for the winter:
Minimize Heat Exposure
Exhaust systems that terminate just above your roof — such as those that service your kitchen or bathroom — can contribute to snow melting. Chimneys can also have this problem. To prevent snow melting that leads to ice dams, you may have to move or extend these exhaust systems.
In addition to eliminating major sources of heat on your roof, it’s also important to address heat loss. In some cases, air leaks are the culprit behind patches of roof that are warmer than the rest. These leaks can occur when lighting fixtures or ductwork are installed incorrectly.
With this in mind, ensure your roof is properly fortified against heat loss. Long-term ice dam prevention tactics include making sure your attic is air-tight, with no opportunities for warm air to escape. Consider adding attic insulation to minimize heat loss by conduction. If you plan on installing new electrical or HVAC components, ensure everything is performed correctly.
Free Your Roof
After a winter storm, remove as much snow from your roof as possible. Use a roof rake or push broom to clear it off. In addition, make sure your home’s gutters and downspouts are clear before the winter weather arrives. Remove accumulated leaves, sticks, and debris, as they can trap moisture.
If icicles form on your gutters, break them off. They don’t just damage your gutters — they add to their weight and pull them away from your roof, impacting their functionality. Plus, as the icicles melt, they can drip onto the lower eaves, contributing to ice dams.
Kanga Roof Can Help You Prevent Ice Dams
At Kanga Roof, we understand the dangers of ice dams and are committed to helping you prevent their destructive effects. Our professional roof snow removal services make avoiding ice dams easy — no need to brave the cold yourself. Plus, our highly skilled team knows how to remove snow without accidentally damaging your roof, ensuring it stays in great condition for years to come.
Contact us today to learn more about how our roof snow removal services can help you keep your home safe this winter.
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