Icicles along your gutters and roof might look pretty but they point to a potentially dangerous problem. Those icicles result from ice dams on your roof, which point to issues you need to address as soon as possible.
Protect your roof and the people walking underneath the icicles. Passersby could get injured should an icicle fall on them. That is why it is important to know the facts about ice dams. Here is what you should know:
- What are ice dams?
Ice dams form along the eaves when the snow melts unevenly on the roof. When the roof has warmer patches due to uneven heat ventilation, the snow melts in those spots. The melted snow then refreezes when it trickles to colder areas of the roof. That is when ice dams form. Ice dams can grow over several days and cause buildup. The ice dams prevent water from running off properly down the gutters. That leads to standing water and roof damage. The biggest concern about ice dams occurs when there are several inches of snow on the roof and the outside temperature is in the low 20s. However, do not remove the snow and ice from the roof yourself. You could seriously injure yourself and damage your roof. It is always better to call a roofing expert, like SKYYGUARD Roofing, to remove the snow and ice. - How to prevent ice dams?
The best way to prevent ice dams is to check the ventilation and heat distribution of your attic and roof. At SKYYGUARD, we can do that for you! The heat needs to rise and escape through the ventilation in the attic. Bathroom, dryer, and kitchen exhausts should go directly outside, not into the attic. Additionally, any holes from fixtures mounted into the ceiling under the attic need proper and airtight seals. It is also very important to have the correct type and volume of insulation in place. That way you can prevent warm patches on the roof that melt snow in the winter. The air temperature in the attic should be kept below freezing if the outside temperature is in the low 20s. - What kind of damage do ice dams cause?
Most damage occurs when the ice dams block the water from reaching the gutters. The water pools and puts stress on the roof. That can cause leaks that drip into the attic or along exterior walls. The water can also damage the shingles, underlayment, and insulation. In addition, the water could cause dangerous mold in the attic. However, these problems are easily preventable by having sufficient ventilation and insulation.
Protect Your Roof from Ice Dams
Winter is hard on your roof, especially in snowy Colorado. That is why you need a roofing company you trust to repair your winter roof damage or prevent damage in the first place.
Contact SKYYGUARD Roofing today to inspect, remove, and repair damage from ice dams. We serve clients throughout the Denver Metro area and other Colorado communities.
