Ice Dam Removal
* Emergency Rates Apply
Ice Dam Removal
What is an ice dam?
An ice dam is the ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof which prevents melting snow from draining as it should. The water that backs up behind the ice dam can leak into the home and cause damage to walls, floors, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.
Where do ice dams happen?
Most ice dams occur on the lowest edge of your roof. However, they can form in other locations as well.
How do ice dams form?
An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the underside of the layer of snow on the roof. This is usually due to insufficient insulation or poor ventilation of the space below the roof. The water trickles down between the layer of snow and the shingles until it reaches the eave of the roof, which stays cold because it extends beyond the side of the house. There, the water freezes, gradually growing into a mound of ice.
Some warning signs
- Your home has had ice dams in the past.
- You see icicles forming on the edge of the roof, or off the front edge of your gutter.
- Ice is coming through the soffit.
- Ice is forming behind the gutters.
- You see ice or water on your exterior wall.
- You see water coming through the frame of a door or window.
- You see water on an interior wall or ceiling of your home.
- If you have improper insulation in your attic, you may have a reoccurring problem with ice dams.
What damage can ice dams cause?
When an ice dam gets big enough, melted water backs up behind it and seeps underneath the shingles. Eventually, it will drip into the insulation and down into the ceiling and exterior walls beneath the eave, ruining sheetrock and paint. If the ice dam breaks free, it can pull shingles and gutters off with it, and it will damage anything it falls on. If the roof sheathing stays wet, it can form mildew and start to rot.
REMOVING AN ICE DAM CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. LET OUR EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS TAKE CARE OF IT FOR YOU. CALL US TODAY!
