There’s nothing worse than waking up on a winter morning to find ice dam water leaking into house. If left unaddressed, ice dams can destroy gutters, remove shingles, and cause substantial water damage. Don’t assume that you should be safe because your area only gets occasional snow or freezing rain. Come up with a plan for how to deal with ice now to avoid costly water damage to your home.
In Oklahoma we are getting closer to winter weather in Oklahoma so be prepared for ice forming or even pipes that could freeze.
What is an Ice Dam and How Does it Form?
Most homeowners know that ice dams are bad. They can cause a lot of external and even interior damage. But what is an ice dam? Let’s answer that question before moving on to talk about how to prevent them.
Ice dams are ridges of ice that form around the edges of your roof. They’re caused by nonuniform surface temperatures that cause water from melting snow to build up on or above the gutters. The melting snow forms a small layer of ice, which prevents runoff from reaching the gutters. That runoff adds to the ice dam, causing it to grow even more extensive and backing up behind the dam.
When water starts backing up behind ice dams, it can begin to infiltrate the home. The ice itself can dislodge shingles, giving the freezing water an easy entry point. From there, it can drip into the attic and damage the home’s walls, ceiling, and insulation. The result is a huge, wet mess that could cost you a small fortune to clean up.
How Nonuniform Roof Surfaces Lead to Ice Dams
No matter how well insulated your house is, there will still be some heat loss. That heat loss helps to melt the snow that accumulates on your roof during storms. When the snow melts, it turns into water and starts to run off the roof. If the surface temperature near your roof’s edges is still below 32oF, the water will re-freeze into ice.
Once an ice dam forms, it will only keep growing until all the snow melts or the exterior temperatures are above freezing. Melting snow flowing down the roof will continue to freeze when it hits the forming ice dam as long as the surface temperature is below 32o. The ice dam itself can damage your gutter, fascia, and shingles, but it won’t cause leaks.
What causes the leaks is thawed snow and ice building up behind the dam. Eventually, the backed-up water will reach a portion of the roof where temperatures are above freezing. It won’t freeze, even if it’s in contact with the ice. Instead, the water will pool on your roof in liquid form until the dam melts, which can take hours or days.
Steady below-freezing temperatures leave the water plenty of opportunities to find cracks and openings into your attic. The water can drip into your house to damage walls, stain ceilings, and reduce building materials’ structural integrity from the attic.
Causes of Nonuniform Roof Surface Temperatures
You might assume that it’s the heat of the sun that warms the roof to above-freezing temperatures. That’s rarely the case. Most of the heat that causes snowmelt and feeds ice dams comes from inside your home.
There are three ways heat can reach the surface of your roof:
- Convection occurs when hot air rises.
- Conduction refers to the energy from heat traveling through solid materials.
- Radiation transfers heat via electromagnetic waves. Most radiant heat comes from the sun.
Since ice dams form at the edges of roofs, it’s safe to assume that the heat is coming from somewhere in the roof’s center. Now that you know about the primary causes of ice dams, you have at least a few tools in your arsenal to prevent them.
Warning Signs That Ice Dams Are Forming
If your roof is forming ice dams, it’s vital to take action quickly. You’ll need to know what to look for. Here are a few of the most obvious warning signs that ice dams are beginning to form on your roof:
- Unusually large icicles
- Unexplained water on your windows
- Ice behind or beneath your gutters
- Visible leaks inside your homeostasis
- Areas of the roof that are free of snow
Preventing Ice Dams on Roof
There are two ways to take preventative action against ice dams. The first is to make permanent changes to your home. The second is to implement temporary fixes before hard freezes.
Permanent Roof Renovations
Most ice dams occur in poorly insulated homes. The most apparent long-term solution for preventing them is to add more insulation to your attic. You won’t have much luck with this solution if you’re implementing it on an emergency basis. If you have time before the first freeze, take action now to avoid the hassles associated with preventing ice dams on roofs with nonuniform surface temperatures.
You’ll also want to add ventilation to your attic. If your attic vents currently exit through the roof, bear in mind that adding insulation can cause snow buildup over the vents. Once your roof is fully sealed and insulated, your attic will not maintain steady airflow unless you install additional vents. You should place them beneath the roof eaves and in the soffit. This kind of work requires engineering knowledge, so hire a qualified professional.
While you’re upgrading your roof, take a look at the waterproof protective barrier. It should run up the rooftop from its edge and pass beneath as many shingles as possible. Having adequate waterproofing near your roof’s edge won’t prevent ice dams from forming. It will, however, help to prevent leaks.
You should also check for other heat sources on your roof. These may include exhaust systems, air leaks, and chimneys. Make sure all fixtures exiting your home through the roof are well insulated to prevent heat loss.
If you’re planning to have your roof replaced, now might be a good time to consider professionally installed de-icing systems. Roofers place these systems beneath the shingles when they install new roofs. They’re designed to last for years and won’t affect the curb appeal of your home in the slightest. Expect to pay up to $4,000 extra dollars for a professionally installed under-shingle de-icing system.
Temporary Fixes for Ice Dams
If you haven’t had time to add insulation and waterproof barriers to your roof, you’re not entirely out of luck. There are a few ways to reduce the chances of developing ice dams and leaks. You can:
- Apply a chemical de-icer like calcium chloride.
- Use a snow rake to remove ice and snow from the bottom four feet of your roof.
- Install heated cables along the roof to prevent snowmelt from freezing.
- Remove ice dams as they form by spraying warm water on them.
- Carefully chip the ice away from the roof and gutters.
One season of implementing these stop-gap measures is usually enough to convince homeowners that it’s worth renovating. If you’re worried about the cost, know that it’s a worthwhile investment. Most insurance companies won’t pay for water damage remediation after ice dams cause leaks. There are some exceptions to this rule, but in most cases, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to prevent ice dams.
You may also be able to get tax credits or rebates to help you offset the cost of insulating your roof. Check with your state’s department of energy to find out what programs are available.
What to do if an Ice Dam Forms and Water Leaks Into Your House
If you have water leaking into your home in the dead of winter, you should consider it cause for concern. You should take action immediately to prevent further damage. Here’s what you can do to minimize damage and protect your home:
- Call SMRSI
ServiceMaster RSI handles all kinds of household damage, including ice dams and subsequent water damage. They have all the equipment and expertise required not just to remove the ice but also to restore your home to its former glory. Dealing with ice and water damage in the dead of winter is a task best left to the professionals.
- Remove the Ice Dams Yourself
No responsible expert would recommend that you attempt ice dam removal on your own. It requires climbing a ladder in below-freezing temperatures and applying heat to the dam. Only try to remove ice dams yourself if you have access to appropriate safety equipment. Working at height is dangerous even under the best circumstances, and it’s not worth risking your safety.
- Turn the Heat Down
It may sound counterintuitive, but one of the first things you should do when you notice ice dams and leaks is to turn the heat down. Turning down the heat will reduce heat buildup in your home’s attic and prevent additional snowmelt until you can remove the dams. Less snowmelt means less water leaking into your home.
- Check Weep Holes
The vast majority of ice dams occur on roof edges, but other areas of your home aren’t entirely immune. If the temperatures are below freezing, check your storm windows for signs of ice dams and leaks. If the water is seeping in, check the weep holes. If they aren’t clear, you may need to drill holes between the window frames and their sill lips. The holes will redirect the water back outside your home and prevent further damage.
- Check the Ceilings
If you plan to deal with ice dams yourself, you’re probably waiting until the weather turns. Don’t just cross your fingers and hope for the best. Check your home’s ceilings frequently to make sure there are no problems that must be addressed immediately. If you see water dripping from light fixtures or pooling to cause ceiling bulges, take action now. There’s no getting around the fact that you’ll need professional help.
- Continue Checking the Roof
Not sure if the ice dams are already causing roof leaks? You should keep a careful eye on the roof until they melt. Look at where the snow is missing, especially near the roof’s edge. Check your attic directly beneath these warmer spots for signs of damage. Focus on the areas directly above the ice dams. If you’re lucky, you might be able to wait until the storm has passed to take preventative action before the next freeze.
Ice Dam Removal
Professionals have a few tools in their arsenals for removing ice dams. If you haven’t been able to stave them off using the prevention tips listed above, you’re better off enlisting help. Trying to get up on an icy roof in below-freezing temperatures isn’t just unpleasant. It can be very dangerous.
Most damage control companies in areas prone to cold snaps have commercial-grade steaming equipment designed specifically for removing ice dams. It heats pressurized water and dispenses it directly onto the ice dam from the ground.
Before using the steamer, a contractor will remove excess snow from your roof. He or she will then create steam channels to help the ice melt. The contractor may also need to chip away at the dam by hand from the roof. Removing ice from the rooftop is challenging and dangerous, so don’t try it at home. If you don’t have the right safety equipment and tools, you could wind up injuring yourself or damaging your roof.
Don’t just forget about the whole ordeal once the ice melts and the temperatures have risen. Chances are, you’ll wind up in the same position during the next storm.
Instead of spending hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars on temporary fixes, consider it a wake-up call. It’s time to invest in more permanent solutions such as attic insulation and ventilation. Once you have finished paying for water damage repairs, it’s time to find a roofer who can help you make appropriate changes.
Get Help Now
If you haven’t been able to prevent ice dams, you need help, not judgment. The experts at SMRSI have seen it all. They are available 24/7 to handle clients’ calls. They can quickly assess water damage from ice dams and develop a plan to help you get your home back into top shape. Call (405) 251-7286 to speak with a dedicated, helpful representative now.
