Ice Dams

2/12/2016 (Permalink)

Since You Asked

Donna from Grand Rapids asked: What exactly are ice dams?

An ice dam is formed when you have a lot of heat loss through your roof causing snow to melt and run down, but then freezes as it gets close to the edge of the roof. This can be seen by blocks of ice on the edge of a roof, or large ice sickles that hang from the roof. Easy enough to explain, however they can cause big problems.

When you get an ice dam the snow that continues to melt will get trapped by the dam and has no place to go. It can then back up under your shingles, with that happening that can causing a leak in your roof. Many roofs don't start to leak until late winter early spring due to warmer weather and thawing of the ice dams.

To prevent ice dams, the first step is to limit the amount of heat loss through your roof. you can do that by making sure your roof is well insulated. The next is to get rid of the snow on your roof of the before it turns to ice. You can use roof rakes or brooms, but make sure you take the proper precautions on a slippery roof. If you already have ice dams, making channels through the ice dam allows the water behind the dam to drain off the roof. You can use a hose and tap water on a warm day to cut through the ice. Work upward from the lower edge of the dam. However, the channel will become ineffective within days and is only a temporary solution to ice dam damage.

If the unfortunate problem if ice dams happens call SERVPRO of Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing at 218-999-9799. You can submit your own question on our Facebook page, facebook.com/SERVPRO.BEMIDJI.GRANDRAPIDS.HIBBING, or on Twitter, @SERVPROBGRH.