During the winter months, one of the biggest problems that homeowners face with their roofs are ice dams. These beautiful chunks of ice hanging from your roofline might look like a holiday card in real life, but the fact of the matter is that they can be destructive to your roof and your home. Ice dams are an issue that should be looked at closely so that you don’t end up with damage to your roof that is expensive to fix. First Choice Roofing is here to talk about why ice dams can be so damaging and what can be done to keep them from forming in the first place.
How Ice Dams Form & The Damage They Cause
hen there is a lot of snowfall in your area, it is normal for that snow to accumulate on your roof. There is only a problem when you don’t have the right ventilation in your attic to keep the snow from melting and then freezing again on the roofline. This is what are known as ice dams. This formation of roof at your roofline can cause serious damage to your roof. Some of the damage that is caused by ice dams include:
– Attic condensation
– Leaking roof
– Water damage throughout the house
– Mold growth in attic
– Attic framing rot
– Roof collapse
– Gutter damage
– Exterior paint damage
– Shingle damage
The Best Way to Fix Ice Dams
Even though ice dams can cause significant damage to your home and your roof, it doesn’t mean that anytime you see an icicle on your house, there is damage. However, if this is happening over and over again, you are going to have a problem. It usually means that you have a ventilation problem in your attic that is allowing warm air to sit in the attic and cause the snow to melt. Here are some tips to help you keep this from happening:
– Make sure there is sufficient attic ventilation and insulation
– Ensure the bathroom vents in your home vent outside rather than into your attic
– Seal air leaks around plumping and wiring in your attic floor
– Make sure the ceiling light fixtures in your home have been sealed properly
– Clean out the gutters and downspouts to help they keep water flowing from your roof
– Remove snow from the top of roof with a roof rake
– Seal air leaks around attic hatches
Roof Replacement, Repair & More in Reading, Wyomissing, Blandon, Shillington, Ephrata, Columbia, Lititz, Millersville, Mount Joy and Lancaster, PA
If you have noticed that there is ice accumulating at your roofline every time it snows this year, you might need to turn to the experts at First Choice Roofing to inspect your roof for damage. We will repair your roof anytime you experience damage of any kind. We want to make sure your roof and gutters are providing your home with protection against water damage. Call us today!
