How Ice Dams Can Damage Your Home

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof. It usually spells trouble because it prevents melting snow from running and draining off the roof, resulting in damage to the roof. Ice dam damage appears in many forms. A top-rated residential and commercial roofer in Ontario sheds light on them here:

• Ice dams can lead to severe water-related problems. The water or melting snow that backs up behind the ice dam can leak into your home and cause damage to your ceilings, walls, insulation and other areas. When left untreated for a long time, water damage can result in collapsed ceilings, stained and weakened walls, and buckled floors.
• Ice dams can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. When water sits for extended periods, it can cause mold and mildew to thrive and spread. Mold is bad news because it can trigger allergies or cause other respiratory problems to the residents. The good thing is that you can easily prevent organic growth by drying out portions of the house that are damp using vents and adequate insulation.
• Ice dams can lead to gutter damage. Ice dams are notorious for tearing gutters off the house. Most times, gutters get warped or bent out of shape from supporting the load of ice dams throughout the snow season, according to roof replacement specialists.

How to Prevent Ice Dams

Getting rid of ice dams is a pain, so the best thing to do is prevent them from forming in the first place. Check the level of insulation in your attic. Building codes require at least 12-in. to 14-in. of fiberglass or cellulose. Examine the existing vents in the attic to find out whether you need to rebuild the soffit or install a ridge vent along the peak of the roof. Proper ventilation is a minimum requirement in a healthy roof. Finally, let a professional shovel snow off your roof to prevent it from building up.

For top-quality residential roofing and siding services, trust only Done-Right Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. Whether you need to repair a leak, improve your insulation, or install vinyl siding, our team can deliver the great results you expect. Call us today at (289) 809-6133 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule a consultation.