What is an ice dam?
Icicles may look pretty, but when you see them growing from the overhang of your roof, you’ve got yourself an ice dam. Ideally winter rain and melting snow drain through the gutters and away from the house. But when that water freezes it forms an ice dam, accumulating and causing a back-up that can damage both the outside and the inside of your home. With each subsequent snowfall your roof will become weakened and warped. Then, when the snow melts from the heated air inside, it will have nowhere to go but inside, leading to damages that often require expensive fixes.
How do I prevent an ice dam from forming on my roof?
You can certainly climb up a ladder to the roof and “rake” off the snow yourself, or dig drainage channels through the snow before the ice dam has a chance to form. However, both of these are very temporary fixes; you’ll need to repeat the process every time snow or ice fall from the sky.
Winterizing your home before wintertime can help you to avoid big repairs down the road.
Whether or not you use your attic for storage or other purposes, damage to your attic can lead to damage elsewhere in the house. Installing a manual heat source in your attic is a short-term fix that is extremely dangerous. Instead, make sure that your attic is adequately insulated.An ice dam can close off vents and prevent kitchen, bathroom, chimney and other heating exhaust from escaping the home. A roofing contractor can move or extend those vents to keep them clear.
How do I get rid of an ice dam that’s formed on my roof?
You can hire a professional to steam the ice away, and then have this done every time the blockage occurs. Since that can be several times each winter the cost will add up quickly.
A long-term solution is snow guards, which are basically spikes that protrude from the roof to break up snow or ice before it has a chance to settle in and cause damage.
A similar solution is to install a snow retention system, where aluminum ridges are applied to the roof to create more permanent drainage channels. They can be customized to match the exact color of your roof.
How can a Roofing Professional help me protect my home from bad winter weather?
They will provide you with a permanent solution at a reasonable cost. Taking preventative measures right now, such as installing better insulation, sealing potential leakage sources and redirection of ventilation systems, eliminates worry when the weather gets bad. They will ensure that skylights are sealed properly. And even if your roof is shaped in an odd or complicated way, you can rest assured that they will take effective measures to protect your home from the elements.
It’s very important to fix leaks immediately to prevent mold and mildew, which can cause you and your family respiratory problems. By contacting AROCON you are guaranteeing your family that leaks and moisture will be eliminated from your home.
AROCON specializes in roof repair, as well as drywall repair, removal of damaged insulation and installation of brand new insulation, sealing active leakage sources, and redirecting ventilation systems to prevent these problems from recurring later in the winter, the next year and beyond. With AROCON’s experienced roofers and construction workers, thorough project review, and warranty options, you can feel secure that your home will withstand Old Man Winter for years to come.
AROCON is a full-service roofing and construction company specializing in roof repair, roof replacement and other construction projects for residential and corporate buildings. AROCON is a Baltimore roofing company serving all of central Maryland and southern Pennsylvania.
