Ice dams are thick ridges of solid ice that build up along the soffits of a home. Water backs up behind an ice dam, and it can leak into a home causing damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. In addition, moisture entering the home from ice dams can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Often homeowners aren’t aware of any problems until the snow really starts to melt in the spring.
Taking care of ice dams while it’s still cold can prevent major problems when it starts to warm up.
Ice dams form when heat collecting in the attic warms the roof – except at the soffit. This causes snow to melt on the warm roof and then the water freezes on the cold soffit. As a result, ice accumulates along the soffits, forming a dam. Water continues to develop from the warm roof above the soffit, but now it backs up behind the dam and flows under the shingles, and into the house.
Damage can include
- torn off gutters
- loose shingles
- water pouring into your house causing peeling paint, warped floors, and stained or sagging ceilings.
- soggy insulation in the attic, resulting in a loss of R-value and potentially forming mold and mildew
Removing snow from the roof helps, but a “roof rake” and push broom may damage the shingles. And any person on the roof during the winter or performing work on the roof from below is risking injury. It’s important to contact professionals – like SMC Construction – to do the work.
SMC’s efficient steam equipment thoroughly removes ice dams, which can help avoid costly damage to your home.
For longer term solutions, SMC can also help you with any of the following:
- Ventilate eaves and ridge.
- Make sure that kitchen, bathroom, and dryer exhausts all lead outdoors through either the roof or walls – never through the soffit.
- Add insulation.
- Replace old-style recessed lights with sealed can lights.
- Check and repair flash around chimneys.
Contact SMC Construction today at (763) 300-5519 to schedule removal of your ice dams and prevent bigger problems later.
