Whenever we think about winters, a pile of imagination crops up in our minds. You will probably visualize fluffy snow, smoke piping out from chimneys, and beautiful icicles falling on your roof.
Winter is full of magic as it is full of snow. It‘s just amazing, and its fluffy white blanket offers an extra-special touch to your life story. Although the enchanting winter world is mesmerizing, it has its own troubles.
Like how to get rid of ice dams on the roof?
Don’t fret, but youhave to take preparatory measuresto avoid unexpected scars of ice. Although winter snow is captivating, it is also a rabble-rouser itself. If you have not ice-proofed your house yet, you’re in trouble.
If a snowstorm usually hits your house in winter, youhave to be prepared to face ice damming. Are you worried about how to get rid of ice dams on the roof?Well, according to the study, the long-term solution for ice dam preventionis to repair your roof’s insulation or ventilation.
How Does Ice Damming Damage Your Roof?
Ice dams are sly pests that form due to poor ventilation or insulation. These spine-chilling dams put your house at risk. Of course, you would hate to freeze under the roof you have built with love and care.
If ice dams are left untreated, the results are horrible. They tear off gutters, loosen shingles (separates shingle from plywood), and cause roof leakage. Warped floors, peeling paints, stained and sagging ceilings are terrible experiences you will have to face.
Ice dams also put unnecessary weight on the roof, hence posing a serious risk to the integrity of rafters.
Besides this, you’ll also face a couple of other red flags as your heating bills will go up to the sky. The worst-case scenario is insects and other creepy creatures will sneak into your house.
Are you looking for a roof ice dam solution? Here are a few tips to control damage or remove ice dams.
4 Quick Solutions To Prevent Ice Dams
Ice dams create havoc. Before major damage, make sure to get rid of them. We encourage you to be cautious while performing these tasks to prevent roof damage or any type of injury.
According to ourroofing experts at MidAtlantic Remodeling Co., these tips will surely help you deal with ice dam prevention. If you’re looking for a permanent solution, read the section below.
1. Use Hot Water
This is the easiest and quickest method. You just need hot water and pour it on the ice dam gently. It’ll help the ice melt and allow the water to drain through the gutter.
2. Install Heating Cables
You can install heating cables in the summertime, and they’ll melt ice dams for you in cold weather. It depends on your roofer whether he recommends heating cables temporarily or permanently.
3. Remove Snow
It’s highly recommended to remove snow. Otherwise, there are high chances that the snow will melt and form another ice dam.
You can use an aluminum rake to remove the snow. We will suggest using a rake with wheels as it doesn’t damage the shingles.
4. Clean Gutters
When fall is on the way, clean the gutter filled with dead leaves and debris. Uncleaned gutter prevents water drainage as intended.
Use designated and specialized tools for gutter cleaning to help you safely remove leaves and debris without damaging your roof.
3 Permanent Solutions For Roof Ice Dam Prevention
If you are worried about your house, start planning to invest in it to live carefree winters. For your safety, we have sorted out the best long-term solution to keep you and your house safe.
1. Add Insulation
Your attic heating system easily gets destroyed, all thanks to winters. The agent triggersthe freezing cycle and makes your winter terrible.
Make sure to check your attic’s insulation regularly. Regular checks suggest whether to increase the insulation or replace it completely.
2. Roof Ventilation
Ventilation is also the primary cause of ice damming. The best way to combat ice dams is to increase ventilation.
Ventilation adds an extra layer of protection and fights with the freezing cycle by retaining hot air inside and flushing the cold air out of your house.
You can also add soffit vents and ventilation strips to the eaves to maintain a consistent temperature.
3. Seal Air Leaks
Air leaks are the main culprits of ice damming. We advise all the homeowners to check and seal off all the air leaks to remove the ice damming from its root.
Although if they are in the form of a crack around a window or a hole in a chimney, make sure to seal them to prevent further damage.
Wrapping Up
If neglected, ice dams can cause problemsand destroy your roof. You can follow the quick solutions mentioned above to control the damage temporarily.
As we have mentioned, the only way for ice damming repair is to fix your roof. If you have got ice dams on your roof, contact Mid-Atlantic Remodeling Co. From fixing roofs to attic insulation, we do it all for you.
Don’t hesitate; we are just a call away. Contact us, and we will be on our way to offer you top-notch services for both residential and commercial buildings in Baltimore, Maryland.
