A Homeowner’s Guide To Ice Dams and Managing Them During the Holidays

You might have noticed that it is starting to get colder outside. Even though it is exciting that the holidays are coming soon, cold weather can also create hazards for your home. One of the biggest risks of cold weather is the development of an ice dam. What is an ice dam, and what do you need to do to avoid it? Take a look at a few important points below. 

What Is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a heavy ridge of ice that develops on the edge of the roof. Because there is a block of ice at the edge of your roof, water cannot drain from the roof to the ground. This can be a problem if the snow on your roof melts and it has nowhere to go. An ice dam develops when the roof is not at the same temperature as the eaves. Snow and ice might melt on the rest of the roof, but it does not necessarily melt on the edges, which leads to the development of an ice dam.

Why Is it Dangerous?

This can be very dangerous for your house and the people who live inside it. If there is ice blockading the edge of your roof, this means water cannot flow into the gutter system. Instead, it pools on the roof of your home. As a result, water can leak through the roof, damaging your ceilings and walls. Water can also strip the insulation from your house, driving up your utility expenses. Finally, if the leak is particularly severe, it can damage your floors and personal belongings as well.

How Can You Prevent an Ice Dam from Developing?

The best way to prevent this problem from developing on your roof is to make sure the roof and the eaves are at consistent temperatures. There are other ways you can prevent this from developing as well. For example, you may want to add more insulation around the roof. You might want to install additional flashing around the chimneys. You might want to seal the ductwork around your home. You can even add extra exhaust to the outside close to the edges of the roof, stopping ice dams from forming.

How Do You Get Rid of an Ice Dam?

There are a few ways to get rid of an ice dam on your roof. You might want to run hot water on the dam to melt the ice. Make sure you keep the water at a relatively low pressure to avoid damaging the roof. You may want to install a heat cable as well. The best time to install this cable is during the summer. That way, you can turn it on during the winter and get rid of the ice. 

Watch Out for Ice Dams This Holiday Season

Winter weather is coming quickly, and you need to make sure your home is prepared. One of the biggest risks of the winter is an ice dam. You need to make sure an ice dam does not develop on the roof of your home. Otherwise, you could develop a roof leak. If you have an ice dam, make sure you get rid of it as quickly as possible. If you climb up to the roof of your house, make sure you have the right safety equipment.