On a cold winter’s day, the sparkling icicles may look beautiful hanging along the eaves of a historic brick home, but when ice dams build up, the resulting damage will not be easily remedied. Read on for some practical, preventative measures homeowners can take as winter approaches.
As temperatures plummet, homeowners need to be aware of the potential damage that can be caused by ice forming on the eaves of their houses. Snow-covered roofs and freezing weather, which are the conditions that cause icicles, can also lead to the formation of ice dams: thick ridges of solid ice. When these dams form, they can loosen shingles, tear off gutters, and even cause water to back up and pour into the house. Once that happens, there is inevitably more damage to follow: peeling paint, wall bubbling, warped floors, sagging stained ceilings, and soggy attic insulation, which in turn becomes a magnet for mold and mildew.
Crucial Warning Signs
If you see water dripping from a soffit panel under the eaves, that’s a preliminary warning; it will likely be followed soon by that same water forming icicles. When left unchecked, the water can move into the home’s interior, and by that time you may see drips from the ceiling or rivulets running down the walls. Damage to the interior can vary from a small spot on the ceiling to saturated insulation and drywall. In some cases, problems with mold and mildew will develop too.
How Do Ice Dams Form?
- Heat starts collecting in the attic and warms the roof – except at the eaves.
- As the snow melts on the warm roof, it subsequently freezes on the cold eaves.
- Ice continues to accumulate along the eaves, forming an ice dam. Meltwater from the warm roof backs up behind it, flows under the shingles, and into the house.
Proactive Steps to Prevent Ice Dams
- Use heated cables. Attached with clips along the roof’s edge in a zigzag pattern, these heated cables combat ice dams that lift shingles and cause leaks.
- Blow in some cold air. Take a box fan into the attic and aim it at the underside of the roof where water is actively leaking in. This targeted blast of cold air will freeze the water in its tracks.
- Rake the snow. You can use a long-handled aluminum roof rake to pull the snow off the roof, as you stand safely on the ground.
TOH Tip: To keep ahead of water damage, snap photos where you see frosty buildup. Use the pictures to help target an interior inspection, during which you should check for leaks.
