Understanding Ice Dams: What They Are, How They Affect Your Home or Business, and More.
Winter in New England can be both picturesque and punishing. While the last few winters have been on the milder side, people living on the east coast are no stranger to mounds of snow and ice. One of the challenges associated with this is the dreaded ice dam. But what exactly is an ice dam, and why are they especially common in New England? More importantly, how can they affect your property, and what can you do to prevent or address them?
What is an Ice Dam?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof, typically along the eaves, preventing melting snow from draining off the roof.
Ice dams occur when heat from the inside of a building escapes into the attic, causing snow on the roof to melt. The water then runs down the roof, but as it reaches the colder eaves, it refreezes, forming ice. Over time, this process creates a build-up of ice that traps additional meltwater on the roof. This trapped water can eventually leak into the building, causing significant water damage to ceilings, walls, insulation, and in more serious situations, the foundation.
Photo credit: steverts
How Do Ice Dams Affect Your Home or Business?
Ice dams can wreak havoc on both residential and commercial properties, leading to a range of problems:
- Water Damage: Trapped meltwater can seep under shingles and into your roof, causing leaks. This can lead to water stains on ceilings, walls, and insulation, and over time, structural damage.
- Mold Growth: Moisture from leaks encourages mold growth, which can lead to health issues, especially for people with allergies or respiratory conditions.
- Roof Damage: The weight of ice and snow can damage gutters, downspouts, and the roof itself.
- Energy Loss: Ice dams often indicate poor insulation or ventilation, which can increase heating costs as warm air escapes into your attic.
- Safety Risks: Icicles and falling ice can cause injuries to people or damage to property, such as vehicles or landscaping.
- Aesthetic Damage: In some cases, ice dams can cause damage to exterior finishes, including roof shingles, gutters, and fascia boards. This is particularly concerning for business owners hoping to attract customers.
Photo credit: xphotoz
Why Are Ice Dams Common in New England?
New England’s unique climate makes it particularly susceptible to ice dams, and here are a few reasons why:
- Cold Winters and Snow: Heavy snow combined with freezing temperatures creates the perfect conditions for ice dams to form.
- Temperature Fluctuations: Winter days in New England often start below freezing but warm up during the day, causing snow to melt and refreeze overnight, which forms ice dams.
- Older Homes and Poor Insulation: Many New England homes were built before modern insulation standards, and even newer homes may not have proper attic ventilation.
- Roof Design: Many homes in New England have steep-pitched roofs, which are more likely to trap meltwater at the eaves.
How to Prevent Ice Dams
Fortunately, there are several strategies you can implement to prevent or minimize ice dams in your home or business. Here are some of DAI Restore’s top tips to do so:
- Improve Insulation: Insulating your attic will prevent heat from escaping, which helps keep snow from melting on the roof.
- Ventilate the Attic: Proper attic ventilation keeps the roof temperature even, preventing snow from melting in the first place.
- Clean Gutters: Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear of debris so water can flow freely off the roof.
- Install Heated Cables: Heated cables along the eaves can help melt snow and prevent ice buildup.
- Use a Roof Rake: After snowstorms, carefully remove snow from the roof edge to help prevent the formation of ice dams.
- Get Professional Help: If ice dams have caused water damage, a DAI Restore to help with mitigation and repairs.
Why Call a Professional Restoration Company?
If you’re experiencing water damage due to ice dams, it’s important to act quickly. Water can spread through your home or business quickly, leading to more extensive damage and potentially dangerous mold growth. DAI Restore can provide:
- Extract water to prevent further damage.
- Dry out affected areas using industrial equipment.
- Remove mold by getting to the source of it to prevent future growth.
- Repair structural damage and restore your home or business back to new with minimal disruption.
Ice dams are a common and costly issue in New England, but understanding their causes and how they affect your property can help you take preventive measures. However, if an ice dam has already caused damage to your home or business, it’s essential to address the issue quickly and professionally. A trusted restoration company can help you restore your property, prevent further damage, and ensure your home or business is ready for the next winter season.
Don’t let ice dams freeze you out — contact our professional restoration team at DAI today!
