Ice dams occur when there is a buildup of ice in your gutters that stops water from flowing off your roof and instead causes it to pool and freeze . This can happen when there is a sudden change in temperature, like a rapid thaw followed by a cold snap. Ice dams can also form during an extended period of freezing weather.
How to prevent ice dams?
There are a few things you can do to prevent ice dams from forming:
- Keep your gutters clean, after the fall clean out all the leaves from your gutters. This will help ensure that water can flow freely through them and off your roof.
- Make sure your eaves and soffits are properly ventilated. This will allow air to circulate under your shingles and help prevent ice buildup.
- Apply a self-adhesive membrane to your roof. This will create a barrier that will help prevent water from seeping into your home.
- Install heat cables along the edge of your roof. These will help melt any ice that forms and keep it from building up.
- Attic ventilation – One of the most important things you can do to prevent ice dams is to make sure your attic is properly ventilated. This will help keep the temperature in your attic consistent and prevent heat from escaping into your home and melting the snow on your roof. Ensuring that your attic has proper ventilation will also help reduce your energy bills as it will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
- Inspection – If your roof is aging, it’s prudent to have your roof inspected for loose shingles, or other damage that could lead to leaks.
How to deal with ice dams
The best option if you already have an ice dam is to call a professional ice dam removal company to remove the the ice dam from your home. They have state of the art equipment that will safely and effectively eliminate the ice dam.
Attempting to remove an ice dam yourself can be very dangerous, however, if you are determined to try to deal with it yourself you can try the following:
- Bring a box fan to your attic and aim it at the ice dam. The warm air from the fan will help melt the ice dam.
- Apply salt or calcium chloride to the dam. This will help melt the ice. Again, this can damage your roof if you use it too often as it’s corrosive.
- Use a hairdryer, heat lamp, or infrared heater to melt the ice. Do not use a torch, as this could damage your roof or start a fire.
The dangers of ice dams
If you have an ice dam, it’s important to take care of it as soon as possible. If left untreated, ice dams can cause serious damage to your home. Water that pools behind an ice dam can seep into your home and cause water damage, mold, and mildew. Ice dams can also cause shingles to lift, which can lead to leaks. If you notice dark spots on your wall it could indicate wet drywall and a leak.
Ice dams are also dangerous to you, your family, or anyone near your home. Icicles can fall and cause lacerations, head injuries, a slip and fall hazard and even death rare cases
What you should do if water is leaking into your home from an ice dam
If you have water damage in your home from an ice dam, the first thing you should do is call a professional water damage company to assess the extent of the damage and start the drying process. Drying the area as quickly as possible will help prevent mold from growing.
Water damage and mold can be costly to repair, so it’s important to take care of an ice dam as soon as possible. Ignoring an ice dam could end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs.
Will Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage from an Ice Dam?
Water damage caused by ice dams is generally covered by your homeowners insurance policy, bt it’s important to check with your insurer before filing a claim. Even if your policy does cover water damage from an ice dam, there may be limits on the amount of coverage you’ll receive.
Ice Dams NY Capital Region
If you’re dealing with water damage from Ice Dams in the greater NY Capital Region including Saratoga Springs, Latham, Clifton Park, Schenectady, Troy, Queensbury, Lake George, and Albany NY, give Abate Pro a call. Our team of water damage professionals are on call 24/7 to attend to your water damage emergency. Water damage from ice dams is quite common in Upstate New York. We are experienced in mitigating damage from water leaks of any kind.
Give us a call now for a quick response – (518) 994-2225
