What in the world is an Ice Dam

1/10/2018 (Permalink)

Pretty But Troublesome

It's a cold winter morning and you look out the window and see the long pretty icicle's hanging down from the roof but they are masking an issue. Those icicles have formed a big ice barrier and the edge of the roof creating what is called an ice dam. It is important to get rid of the ice dam as soon as possible. If its a warm day it will likely melt that day and may not be too much of a problem but often another storm hits and the ice builds up more. All this ice pushes on the shingles and eaves and can allow water to get underneath them as the water is left standing behind the ice dam and cannot get to the eaves to flow away from the house. All of these things do a fair amount of damage to the shingles and can allow water under the shingles. The water will then get into the roof area where you will now have water in your attic which can lead to further issues with water damage and left untreated as the weather warms possibly mold issues as well.   

They Are Treatable

• Temporary solutions include using heated cable that is made for just this issue. Also they make roof rakes for getting the ice down if you live in a single story home
• Permanent fixes include venting eaves and ridges and also adding insulation to change the roof temperature so that ice is less likely to form.

Have you suffered damage from an ice dam and now have water or mold in your attic? We can help. Call SERVPRO of Dekalb County at (815)758-3900