Ice dams can cause significant damage to your property

Icicles could be the first indication that an ice dam is forming on your roof

Ice dams are common in the winter when the temperature drops and snow starts falling. And no matter what kind of roof or style of home you have, ice dams are inevitable when you pair a roof and gutter with frigid temperatures.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a buildup of ice at the edge of a sloped roof. They’re created as snow melts, then refreezes at the eaves, keeping melting snow from draining off the roof. As this water builds up on the roof with nowhere to go, it can leak into the interior of your property, damaging walls, ceilings, floors, insulation, and more.

Why Do Ice Dams Occur?

Ice dams happen due to non-uniform roof temperatures. Specifically, the following “ingredients” are needed to make one happen:

Snow must form on a roof.
Higher parts of the roof temperature must exceed 32º Fahrenheit (0º Celsius).
Lower parts of the roof must be lower than 32º Fahrenheit (0º Celsius).

Once the snow at the top of the roof melts (since it’s above freezing temperature), the water runs down the roof, reaching the portion of the roof that is below freezing. When the water freezes, it forms an ice dam.

The dam is “fed” by the melting snow higher up on the roof. This water backs up behind the ice dam, and when that water freezes, the ice dam continues to grow and get heavier.

How do Ice Dams Affect Properties?

Ice dams can cause significant damage to your property, both outside and indoors:

Water damage. As water backs up on the roof, it can slip through cracks and openings, get under shingles, and make its way into your home.
Gutters and shingles damaged.
Roof failure (from the weight of snow).
Stained, sagging ceilings.
Warped floors.
Mold growth.
Damaged contents.

Ice Dam Prevention

There are steps you can take to help prevent ice dams, and even mitigate damage if they still form:

During winter, make sure gutters and downspouts are regularly cleared of snow, and safely remove icicles when you see them.
Remove debris, suchas sticks and leaves, from gutters and downspouts (to help provide passage to melting roof snow).
If possible, keep the amount of snow on your roof to a minimum, to help prevent ice dam formation.
Consider investing in “roof rakes,” long-handled devices that let you stand on the ground and pull snow off the roof.
Go into your attic to evaluate ventilation and insulation. Generally, professionals indicate the R-value of attic insulation should be at least R-30 (R-38 is ideal in northern climates).
Good insulation helps prevent heat loss inside the property, and properly venting air in the attic helps it remain cold enough to prevent or minimize the freeze/thaw cycle on the roof. Consider reaching out to a roofing or insulation contractor to ask about improving airflow under your eaves or soffit area, along the underside of the roof, and out through roof vents.

SERVPRO’s Water Damage Cleanup Process

If your home or business suffers damage from an ice dam this winter, call the professionals at SERVPRO^®. With over 2350 franchises, locations across the United States and Canada offer an eight-step water damage restoration process. This includes:

Emergency Contact. When you first contact your local SERVPRO, a specialist will ask various questions to determine size and scope of loss, and which personnel and equipment to dispatch. A fast response is critical, so SERVPRO will work to send your local restoration professional out to inspect the damage as soon as possible.
Inspection and Water Damage Assessment. When technicians arrive, they’ll first work to stop the source of water (if necessary), then thoroughly assess the damage. It is important for SERVPRO professionals to evaluate any hazards present, determine the severity of damage and what can be restored, and ultimately develop a plan of action.
Water Removal. Once a plan is determined, water extraction begins using powerful extraction units and pumps.
Damaged Material Removal. In the fourth step, technicians will let you know if any items cannot be restored. These items will then be removed as soon as possible to help expedite the drying process.
Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Deodorization. A variety of products, equipment, and specialized techniques are employed to help clean, sanitize, and remove odor from furniture and other belongings.
Drying. Industry-leading drying equipment is used at this stage to help remove water you can’t see (like moisture within materials). This helps return items to their standard moisture level, after most of the water has already been removed.
Generally, drying equipment is placed when technicians arrive for the first time, though the amount and type of equipment can vary depending on the job.
Monitoring. As drying takes place, SERVPRO specialists will regularly visit your property to make adjustments as needed, check equipment, and verify materials are drying as expected.
Repairs and Construction. In the final step, any last needs are met, including construction, if necessary. Sometimes, the damage requires rebuilding after cleanup and restoration takes place.

SERVPRO is Here to Help®

If you experience water damage due to an ice dam, look no further than SERVPRO for all your cleanup needs. Providing thorough remediation and restoration, mold removal, even roof tarping, our team will return your property to its pre-loss condition, “Like it never even happened.”