Ice Dams! What To Know and What You Can Do to Prevent Them

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

With the recent snowstorm that passed through Glen Burnie, we have seen several homes directly affected by the falling snow and freezing temperatures. For some homes, ice dams are forming, causing water to leak back into roofs, causing water damage and mold in attics.  

But how do ice dams form? An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the underside layer of snow on the roof. The water trickles down between the layer of snow and the shingles until it reaches the edge of the roof, which stays cold because it extends over the side of the house. Once there, the water freezes, creating a mound of ice or an ice dam.  

If an ice dam gets big enough, melted water backs up behind it and soaks underneath the shingles. Eventually, the water that seeps into the attic will soak the insulation and down into the ceilings. From there, the water makes its way to the dry wall, ruining the sheetrock, paint and more.  

How do you prevent ice dams from forming? You can scrape snow from the roof whenever it falls, using a snow rake from below or even a plastic shovel from above. We would recommend hiring a professional to clean up your gutters since it will be safer than dealing with adverse conditions on one’s own. Even if your roof is not very steep, an ice dam can still form.  

If you experience water damage in your home this winter, call the experts at SERVPRO of Glen Burnie and we can make any size disaster “Like it never even happened.”