Old Man Winter can be a dangerous enemy to homeowners if the right protection is not put in place. Water damage from ice dams in the eaves and gutters of your roof can cause several costly problems to the integral structure and soundness of your home. Understanding the roots of the problem, as well as three important defenses to guard against it may be the only way to protect yourself and your home during the cold winter months.
What are Ice Dams?
Ice dams are problematic snow and ice formations that are seen on roofs and gutters of homes located in colder climates like Chicago. While they may sometimes look pretty, ice dams can wreak havoc on roofs, and their presence may be an indicator that the attic has poor insulation and ventilation.
How do Ice Dams Form?
As snow and ice begin to surround the exterior of a home, most families find themselves turning up the heat and gathering around fireplaces to stay warm. Sometimes, this heat may escape into the attic of the home, and combine with the sun’s radiated warmth to melt the snow on the top of the roof.
This causes water to run down the valleys of the roof until it reaches the colder areas of the roof, like the gutters, where it refreezes as ice. Repeating this process over and over throughout the days creates ice dams, which result in water backing up under roof shingles and fascia.
This can lead to damage in the attics, ceilings, walls, and roof of your home.
How to Prevent Ice Dams?
The keys to your success in avoiding ice dams are proper attic insulation, attic ventilation, and waterproofing shingle underlayment. By insulating the floor of the attic, more heat stays in the living spaces of the home, instead of allowing it to travel upward into the roof. Adequate attic ventilation will then allow escaped heat or moisture to be drawn out, keeping the roof deck cool and the interior structure free from mildew or wood rot. Waterproofing underlayment acts as the last line of defense, preventing water back-up under the shingles of your roof, thus protecting your investment in your home.
Protecting your home from the damage of ice dams, or correcting a roof problem that has occurred already should be a top priority. Professional repair and installation of these defenses will help to guard against the harmful wiles of Old Man Winter.
At Roofing Aid, we take a system-based approach to preventing ice dams from occurring on your roof. This includes an attic inspection, followed by ensuring proper attic ventilation and attic insulation.
Roofing Aid Inc | Roofing Contractor serving Chicagoland Suburbs, Illinois, USA