How to Prevent Ice Dams from Damaging your Midtown Direct Home

With this never-ending winter, we’ve seen more than our share of snow. And with the build-up of the white stuff on our roofs, a common problem for homeowners is the damage cause by ice dams.

What is an ice dam?

Ice dams form when melting snow on a roof runs off and refreezes at the edge of a roof. This condition occurs when the snow is melted by a warm roof, creating water running between the snow and the warm roof surface, then freezing and turning to ice when it gets past the exterior wall and hits a cold unheated roof edge or gutter. As the bottom of the snow pack continues to melt, water continues to flow down the roof surface until it hits the ice, thereby creating a larger and larger ice dam. If this situation continues, the ice can work its way back up the roof edge, get under shingles, melt and leak into the exterior wall, home or attic.

What damage can an ice dam do?

Once the water is deep enough, it penetrates the roofing system and creates water damage inside the home. Damage from ice dams may not be readily apparent. As the ice melts and possibly drips into the wall or attic, insulation can be become wet and lose its ability to perform. In some cases if the right temperature and humidity exist, mold may begin to grow in the attic. Often paint will peel or blister weeks or months after the ice dam has melted as moisture from the leak in the wall or ceiling cavities tries to leave and pushes outward. Uncorrected, the water can cause serious structural damage.

What steps can homeowners take to prevent damage from ice dams?