ICE DAMS: FACTS AND TIPS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM

The Winter season means enjoying the holidays and spending time with family for most people as this is the time of the year when most days are spent at home. It may be accurate to describe the season as the most relaxing. Unfortunately, however, we can’t say the same thing for your roof. The roof of any house carries the most stress during winter. Your roof does not get to rest as it continues to provide protection for you and your family.

Winnipeg weather in winter can be very harsh and any homeowner would want their roofs properly functioning after this time of the year. That is exactly why it is important to have your Winnipeg roofing company check the condition of your roof and have them handle your roof maintenance before the first snowfalls. Preparing your roof for the winter may be one of the most important things you need to do before the season approaches.

Having your roof ready before snow starts is one thing and taking care of it during is another. Winter may almost be over but there are still chances of snow in Winnipeg in the days to come before spring officially begins. There are many ways winter can damage your roof as discussed in our previous blog. But for now, let us focus on ice dams.

How Ice Dams Are Formed

Ice dams are ice build-ups on the eaves of sloped roofs. They may look nice on houses, adding that special touch of the winter season but they mean problems. 

Ice dams are formed when snow on the roof melts due to the heat coming from the attic. The heat affects the temperature on the roof but not on the eaves. When this melted snow reaches the eaves, it freezes again and ice is formed. 

As this cycle of thawing and freezing continues, the ice thickens on the eaves and back-ups onto the roof. As additional melting occurs in the roof, water gets caught in the shingles and seeps through the roof, finding its way into the attic and eventually the interiors of your home, in the form of leaking, which is only one-way ice dams cause damage to your property as they can also tear off gutters as well as loosen shingles. 

How To Prevent Ice Dams During Cold Season

Although the best time to prepare and protect your roof against ice dams is during the warmer seasons of spring, summer, and fall, there are ways to prevent ice dams even in the middle of the cold season.

• Keep gutters clean. Make sure that the gutters are free of any debris that might cause clogging. Also, check that the downspouts are properly functioning to ensure that melted snow does not get stuck in the gutters.

• Remove snow from your roof. Ice dams are formed pretty quickly after a snowfall. To prevent ice dams from forming, you can use a rake to remove snow on your roof. Be sure to do this from the ground as it is not safe to get on a roof with snow. Also, to avoid damaging the shingles, remember to use light pressure when raking.

• Use hot water.  Spraying or running water over the ice dam will allow the ice build-up to melt and drain out through the gutter and downspout.

• Chip off formed ice. You can use any tool that is appropriate and is safe to use to remove ice, like an ice pick. Be sure, however, to mind your safety and use a sturdy ladder to help reach your gutter.

Hire Professionals

If you think that ice build-up on your roof is too much for you to manage, there are roofing professionals who can take care of the job for you. All Weather Exteriors is a team of roofing experts more than qualified to provide you with any service you may need for your roof.

Our master roofers will be able to provide you with tips and recommendations best suited for your roof. You may request a roof inspection to see what we can do to make sure that your roof continues to protect you and your family in the seasons to come. 

Call us at: (204) 510 2959

Send us an email: info@allweatherexteriors.ca

Photo by Maria Orlova from Pexels