Preventing Ice Dams

1/24/2020 (Permalink)

Don't wait til it's too late to prevent ice dams - but if you get water damage, be sure to call on SERVPRO® of Glenview!

Winter weather can wreak havoc on a home. For instance, snow or ice-covered walkways and driveways can become a hazard for people if they are not cleared right away. For the safety of your family, pets, and vehicles, we're sure you clear the snow from all areas and perhaps put down salt to melt the ice.

Just as you clear snow and ice from the walking paths around your home in the winter, homeowners need to remember to look up and check your roof as well!

Not only can the weight of accumulated snow or ice on your roof become a hazard when not cleared, but it can lead to the buildup of ice dams. Why is that a bad thing? Ice dams can cause water to leak into your home, potentially causing damage to everything from the exterior walls and roof to the interior walls, ceilings, and even structural components like joists or studs. Water leaking into your home could also damage your personal belongings. Additionally, water damage left unresolved could lead to mold, which is something no homeowner wants to deal with.

Read below for tips on preventing ice dams. If you missed our post on preventing roof damage, you can read it here: http://bit.ly/SPGV20200121 

Protect Homes from Winter Weather: Preventing Ice Dams

1. Keep roof drainage systems clear! This means keeping all drains, gutters, and downspouts free of debris and vegetation that may restrict proper flow.
2. Consider heat sources - remove or relocate heat sources that are installed in open attic areas directly under the roof.
3. Insulate light fixtures in the ceiling below an unheated attic space.
4. Insulate attic penetrations: if you have penetrations into the attic, such as vents, seal and insulate them so that daylight cannot be seen and airflow is minimal.
5. Install heating cables on eaves, gutters, and downspouts or around roof drains on flat roofs. This will not remove an existing ice dam, but will create effective channels that allow water to drain off safely.
https://disastersafety.org/winter-weather/protect-your-home-from-ice-dams/