The Dangers of Ice Dames to Your Roof

Icicles are often seen as one of the beautiful signs of winter. They could also point to some serious problems on your roof, the presence of ice dams. So, let’s talk about the dangers of ice dams to your roof.

Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of your roof and prevent melting snow from draining off. During the winter months, especially after a massive snowstorm, ice dams can form. So, what should you know about ice dams? The experts at Roof Right Inc, a roofing contractor in Hampstead, Maryland, are here to help explain what can be dangerous about ice dams.

The Dangers of Ice Dams:

Ice dams have the potential to cause serious damage to your home. If they are left untreated, they can tear off gutters, loosen shingles, and cause water to back up under those same shingles. This can lead to water draining into your home.

Water than can’t drain off properly works its way under your roof covering and flows into the attic. From that point it can seep through insulation, ceilings, walls, and other areas. This can lead to peeling paint, stained and sagging ceilings, warped floors, even mold or mildew.

What is the cause of ice dams:

Ice dams form when indoor heating rises through your ceiling into the attic and warms the roof surface. Snow on the heated part of the roof melts and flows down until it meets the part of the roof that is below freezing. At this point, the water freezes into an ice dam.

What should you do if you have an ice dam: 

If you see icicles weighing down your gutters and snow piling up behind them, especially with the presence of leaks in your attic as well, you may have an ice dam. Of course, prevention is key to avoiding damage, here are some things you can do to help mitigate the problem:

• Bring a box fan to your attic and aim it at the underside of the roof, where any water is leaking in. The targeted cold air will help to stop the water by freezing it int place, which will avoid further water damage.
• Use a roof rake to pull snow off of your roof while you stand safely on the ground
• Fill a pair of pantyhose with ice melt and lay it on the roof, crossing the ice dam and over changing your gutter. This DIY solution creates a channel for the water to flow off of your roof.
• Do not chip away at an ice dam with a chisel or shovel. This is dangerous in icy conditions and you could also damage your roof layers

Long Term Solutions: 

The best way to protect is to prevent ice dams to keep your roof safe in the winter. To prevent ice dams, you need to keep the temperature in your roof and eaves consistent. You can do this through:

• Adding the recommended amount of insulation to your attic
• Ventilate the eaves and ridge
• Exhaust to the outside through your roof and or walls, never through a soffit
• Seal and insulate ducts
• Cover your attic hatch
• Add or repair flashing around chimneys

Completing the items listed above will help you to enjoy an ice dam-free winter while saving on energy costs. Still searching for someone to take a look at your roof or attic? Contact the experts at Roof Right. Our company is dedicated to homeowners and their service needs, and we offer one of the best warranties in the industry.

About Roof Right

At Roof Right we have realized customer service and trust are poorly lacking in the roofing industry. That is why our roofing company takes pride in our exceptional service which includes showing up when we say we will, providing a thorough 17-point inspection, listening to you so we can make a quick and thorough diagnosis of your roofing problem, and cleaning up after ourselves as we work. In addition to offering residential roofing services and roof repairs in Maryland. Roof Right is proud to offer the following services:

Roofing & Gutter Maintenance – Your roof, just like your car, should get routine inspections. Your roof gets more abuse from the elements than any other part of your home and preventative maintenance is a key element to a longer service life. Protect your home with the Roof Right Shield Program. Every year, our expert roofers will climb up on your roof and into your attic to ensure that your roof is providing you with the maximum protection for your home. Learn more about roofing & gutter maintenance. 

Skylights & Solatubes – Brighten your home with natural sunlight with skylights & solatubes installed by the team at Roof Right! Sunlight in your home can transform a dark room into one that is bright and full of natural light. It can also highlight textures, and bring out the vibrant colors of your furniture. And that is a beautiful thing! Skylights allow you to light your home for free during the day using natural sunlight. That means you can spend less on electricity and more on you! Roof Right offers a complete system of skylight products for any kind of roof. Learn more about skylights & solatubes.

Gutters – Installing a new seamless gutter system is one of the most critical aspects of all home repairs. Improving the drainage around the home can have a significant impact on the stability of the foundation and the life of your home. Roof Right installs gutters and gutter guards that will efficiently channel water away from your home. Learn more about gutters. 

Siding – Looking to add curb appeal along with improving your homes energy efficiency? No paint. No stain. No hassles. Vinyl siding delivers strength, durability, and beauty of real wood with a variety of design options and multiple color options. Based on an average size home, repainting can cost thousands of dollars every few years. Vinyl siding never needs painting, caulking or patching because, unlike wood, it won’t crack, peel, rot or split. Roof Right carries siding from the best manufacturers in the industry, including Mastic, CertainTeed, James Hardie. Learn more about siding. 

Windows – Reduce your energy bills & increase the curb appeal of your home with energy efficient windows installed by Roof Right!  There are hundreds of vinyl window brands on the market today – but they are not all created equal. Many ordinary vinyl windows are designed only for low cost, not for value. We install top-of-the-line, energy efficient windows for long-lasting great looks. We carry a wide selection of energy efficient products from trusted manufacturers. Learn more about windows. 

Doors – Roof Right and ProVia® are dedicated to making entry doors the professional way. ProVia entry doors are energy efficient, built to quality standards and gives you many choices to entry-level doors that are sold through box stores. Roof Right installers have attended entry systems and storm door training with ProVia®. We have software that will allow you to build your new entry door on our computer so you can see the many different options and price ranges available. ProVia® builds their doors with care in every detail. They don’t cut corners and pay attention to the smallest details. The replacement doors can be customized to your individual taste and style. They are an industry leader in building residential doors. Learn more about doors. 

Decks & Patios –  We can help you design a deck for your home that can bring you many years of enjoyment and improve your home’s value. Let us guide you through the design and construction of your dream deck. From designing the deck for your needs and budget, to getting all the necessary permits, we will make the construction process as pleasant as possible. Choose Roof Right to build a custom deck that will increase your living space and become your favorite relaxation and entertaining spot. Learn more about decks & patios.