As a property owner, wintertime brings with it a lot of responsibilities. One of the most damaging yet subtle, is ice dams. Ice dams occur when snow is melting on your roof but does not flow into the gutters. This is caused by the difference in temperature of your attic and the outside temperature.
When the snow melts on your roof, the water drips down, but as the water drips down, it refreezes because of the outdoor temperature. This can lead to mold in your attic, structural damage, and other expensive problems.
Here are some ways to prevent damage from ice dams this winter:
Clear the snow off your roof
First, clear off the snow after it falls. You do not need to clear the entire roof, just about 4 inches from the roofline will do the job. This way, the roofline does not refreeze and the water can drip down into the gutters.
Clean out your gutters
Speaking of gutters, ensuring that they are clear and the downspout is not clogged will help prevent any issues with draining.
Check roof ventilation points
Something else that often gets covered are ventilation points on your roof. Check these too to ensure air can circulate and does not get too warm in your attic.
Make sure your attic is insulated
Second, make sure your attic is well insulated. Warm attic temperatures often lead to ice dams, so extra insulation will help stop that the melt/freeze cycle. Another thing to keep an eye on is snow melting on parts of your roof sooner than others, this means there is a lack of insulation and needs to be addressed.
Removing ice dams
If you do end up with an ice dam this season, you can likely fix the problem on your own before any damage is done. Being vigilant in checking your roof is a key factor in preventing damage. Simply knocking the ice dam loose with a rake or covering the ice with calcium chloride are two safe solutions to this problem.
24 Restore is the preferred restoration services partner of commercial & residential property owners across New England. Whether you’re dealing with an emergency situation, or just simply need help implementing a sound Disaster Response Plan, we’re available to help. Contact 24 anytime, day or night for assistance.
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