Ice dams on your roof form with the temperature changes during the winter. These blockages can cause major issues with your roof. Fortunately, there are some ways to prevent ice dams.
What Are Roof Ice Dams?
Here’s how an ice dam forms. Warm air in your attic melts the snow built up on your roof. The melted snow trickles down and freezes again when it reaches colder parts of the roof, like the edges, or eaves. This frozen water builds up, forming an ice dam. The water trapped behind the dam can then seep under the shingles, causing water leaks in your home and damaging ceilings and walls. The warm air gets into your attic through holes around wires, pipes, lights, chimneys, and walls, especially if your attic insulation is poor.
Do Ice Dams Damage Your Roof?
Yes, ice dams can cause significant damage to your roof. The biggest issue with ice dams is the water damage they can cause. This water damage can lead to water leaking into your home, wet and ineffective insulation, rotting wood, and even structural damage. The weight of the ice dam is also an issue. Increased pressure on the shingles under the dam can crack them or snap them off. The weight of the ice dam can also damage or rip off your gutters.
Can Ice Dams Be Prevented?
There are several ways you can prevent ice dams from forming:
Insulation and Ventilation: Ensuring your attic has enough installation, especially at the eaves, can help prevent heat from escaping from your attic and triggering the formation of an ice dam. Proper ventilation in your attic allows the cold air to circulate, ensuring the attic does not get too warm.
Air Leaks: As mentioned before, ice dams start forming when warm air comes from the attic. The warm air can get into the attic through air leaks in your home. Make sure all wiring, plumbing, chimneys, light fixtures, and knee walls are properly sealed. It is also important to make sure your attic hatch is properly sealed and insulated to prevent air from creeping in there.
Roof and Gutter Maintenance: By keeping your gutters and downspouts clear, you are allowing any melting ice or snow to get off of your roof. This prevents the water from building up and freezing. If you have a roof rake, you can use it to remove large amounts of snow from your roof, which could melt and lead to an ice dam forming.
Repairs for Ice Dam Damage
If you have experienced roof damage due to an ice dam, there are a few repairs you may need. First, you may need shingles replaced. If the ice dam snapped off or cracked any shingles, you will want to have those replaced. You will also need to replace any shingles that were damaged by pooling water. If this damage is left unchecked, there is a possibility it will lead to you needing a roof replacement. In these cases, the damage is too severe to simply replace a few shingles.
Has An Ice Dam Damaged Your Roof in Evergreen Park, IL?
If you have noticed damage to your roof from an ice dam, it is important to seek repairs as soon as possible. Velazquez Roofing offers thorough inspections to determine what repairs your roof will need. Our licensed roofers will provide you with a free estimate for repairs or replacement, if necessary. Velazquez Roofing uses high quality materials and precise workmanship to ensure your roof repairs last. Are you looking for a reliable roof repair company in the Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Burbank, or Beverly area? Contact us today!
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