Dealing With and Preventing Ice Dams
One of the most important parts of your home is your roof. A quality roof can help protect the interior of your home from exterior elements, including precipitation, cold weather, and falling debris. While a roof is designed to last for decades, there are common issues that could require repairs and maintenance to ensure the roof lasts as long as possible. One common issue property owners will have in colder climates is an ice dam on their roofs.
What Is an Ice Dam?
If you live in a cooler climate, snow and ice in the winter can be quite common. During a sunny day, some of this snow or ice will melt and slowly fall off the roof and slide toward the gutters. At night when the sun goes down and the weather cools, this melted snow and ice can accumulate and freeze near the base of your roof. This is referred to as an ice dam and can put a lot of stress on your gutters and the edge of the roof.
How to Prevent Ice Dams
If you do have ice dams, it can cause damage to your roof and even lead to interior leaks. Due to this, preventing them is very important. You can follow various tips to ensure ice dams do not occur.
- Focus on Insulation
One of the best ways to manage ice dams is by focusing on insulation. If your home is properly insulated, it can help to keep heat from escaping to your roof. This could slow the melting process of the ice and can help prevent the ice dams from forming.
- Use a Roof Rake
If you are regularly getting ice dams on your roof, a roof rake can be a great option. A roof rake is a long pole and rake designed to help scrape snow off of your roof. If you are regularly getting snow accumulation towards the edge of your roof, you can use the rake to remove it. This will help to prevent ice dams.
- Repair Roof
If you have had ice dams in the past, it could cause damage to your roof. This could include having a part of it slowly dip and cave in. If this happens, it will create more potential for pooling on the roof. Due to this, you should hire a professional for roof repair services to fix any of these pools. This can help ensure your roof remains strong throughout the winter.
While a quality roof is designed to last for decades, some forms of maintenance and repair are needed along the way. One form of care that you will need will include preventative maintenance to help you avoid ice dams. Following these tips can help you prevent these ice dams and keep your roof in good condition.
Categorised in: Roofing Contractor
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