Ice Dam Damage: 3 Great Tips To Prevent Ice Dams Damage

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO for emergency water damage services!

Ice dam damage is a widespread problem during the cold winter months.

The end of the winter season is still a few months away. Meaning, homeowners should be cautious about common water damage disasters in the winter months.

One of the number one causes of water damages in the wintertime is ice dams. Ice dam damage will be apparent when a homeowner notices water leaks into their home from or near an area where ice and snow have accumulated. 

The professionals at SERVPRO of South Cobb understand that ice dams are a common occurrence during the winter, and if not dealt with quickly, can cause significant water damage to a home. In this blog post, we will be going over what an ice dam is and give you three great tips to help prevent ice dams from forming and causing any damage.

What is an ice dam? 

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the roof's edge, generally along the gutters. The snow melting creates the ice dam on the roof, which refreezes, forming a thicker and harder ice ridge.

How do ice dams cause water damage? 

Roof leaks occur when water accumulates behind the ice dam and leaks into the property. It is common for an ice dam leak to cause extensive water damage. The water can damage ceilings, walls, insulation, and electrical systems. Therefore, it is essential to take action quickly if you notice water leaking into your home or near an area where ice and snow have accumulated. 

Three tips to prevent ice dams from forming and causing any damage

Water damage is the number consequence of an ice dam, and there are three main ways to prevent ice dams from forming and causing water damage to your home: 

Tip 1: Keep gutters clear

To keep ice dams from accumulating onto the roof, you will want to ensure that your gutters are clean, open, and able to carry water off the roof quickly. Also, make sure all downspouts are draining properly and not clogged by leaves or other debris.

Tip 2: Ensure proper roof ventilation

Proper ventilation is a great way to prevent ice dams from forming. In addition, by allowing the roof to vent, you will keep the roof cold, and any snow melting should escape quickly. To accomplish this, do not block any roof vents.

Tip 3: Install heat cables 

One of the best ways to prevent an ice dam from forming is to keep the snow off the roof. If snow cannot collect on the roof, it can't melt and create an ice dam.

Heat cables are a great option if you want to ensure that your roof is kept as snow and ice-free as possible. The heat from the cables will keep the roof's surface from ever reaching freezing temperatures, which would prevent snow and ice from accumulating on it.

SERVPRO ice dam damage restoration 

We hope you enjoyed learning about ice dams and what you can do to prevent them from causing any damage. 

If you notice that water is leaking into your house from or near an area where ice and snow have accumulated, call the experts at SERVPRO of South Cobb right away for fast water removal services. We will restore your property to pre-damage condition using our extensive knowledge and skills. 

SERVPRO of South Cobb is a professional water damage restoration company that can help homeowners with their restoration needs. We understand the importance of acting quickly when a customer notices water leaking into their home. 

If you require water damage restoration services, please contact us today. We are IICRC certified and available 24/7, 365 days a year, to help!