It’s almost winter and you know what that means: snow everywhere! Snow is bound to surround your home, gather on your window sills and most especially settle on top of your roof. When temperatures drop sharply, roof issues are very likely to arise. For many homes, these problems come in the form of ice dams.
A1 Siding and Roofing, the leading commercial roofing company, talks more about the effects of ice dams, and how homeowners can prevent them.
Effects of Ice Dams
Ice dams are perhaps the worst enemy of your roofing system because they can cause water damage. While ice dams may look harmless enough, they actually often lead to energy waste, water leaks and moisture issues in the home.
How Ice Dams Form
Improper ventilation is often the root cause of ice dam formation on residential roofs. When an attic gets too hot and doesn’t release enough of that heat because of inadequate ventilation, the roof heats up, and the snow at the top of the roof begins to melt rapidly. The melted snow then runs down until it reaches the colder areas at the edge of the roof, where it pools in the gutters and refreezes. With ice blocking the gutters, water may start backing up under the shingles, causing moisture problems in your home. The additional weight of the ice can also damage the gutters and make them buckle and pull away from the house.
Ways to Avoid or Get Rid of Ice Dams
There are several different methods that can be used to prevent ice dams from forming. These include installing roof heating panels, increasing attic ventilation and minimizing heat sources in the attic.
If you have ice dams, you’ll want to think twice before removing them on your own. It’s much safer to call your trusted roofing contractor, A1 Siding and Roofing. It’s quite dangerous to take ice dam removal into your own hands, so entrusting the job to an experienced roofer is a much better choice.
Since 1978, our tried and tested services have provided many homeowners with a feeling of well-being and better all-around protection for their homes. A1 Siding and Roofing is dedicated to providing products that our customers can trust. Call us today at (603) 627-7339 for more information, or fill out our contact form to get a free project estimate. We serve residents in Manchester, NH, and other nearby areas.