Beautiful and unique icicle formations hanging from the eaves of homes are often fun to admire, but they can spell big trouble for homeowners. That's because a closer look at those pretty icicles may disclose a bigger problem - the formation of ice dams.
Ice dams are created when heat from the inside of a home escapes through the attic and warms the roof decking during winter. This heat, combined with heat from the sun, can melt the snow and create water runoff. Due to the pitch of the roof and gravity this water slowly works its way downwards until it reaches the edge of the roof. Once this runoff reaches the roof edge, it encounters temperatures that are significantly lower and will begin to refreeze.
Water that makes it clear of the roof will refreeze and slowly create icicles, while water that does not make it over the edge will refreeze and begin to form an ice dam. Icicles or accumulating ice sheets can then block subsequent runoff, causing it to back up and infiltrate under shingles or fascia boards. From there it can soak through the roof decking or wall sheathing, causing water damage to attics, ceilings, walls, floors, carpets and furniture.
Homeowners are most likely to see ice dams form when a significant amount of snow, anywhere from 8 to 24 inches, has fallen. Numerous accumulating snowfalls that drop just a few inches at a time can also result in a thick blanket of snow atop the roof as well. That snow build-up, coupled with inadequate insulation and poor attic ventilation, are the main ingredients for the creation of ice dams, potential wide spread water damage, and big problems for home owners.
Home owners need to act fast if they have ice dams because the more time that elapses before prevention and treatment, the greater the potential for undesirable water damage. The best type of proactive prevention and protection is for homeowners to cautiously pull snow off their homes by using long-handled roof rakes. Stay safe - keep your feet on the ground (not on a ladder!) when using the rake, and be careful not to come in contact with overhanging wires.
If in doubt as to whether your attic is properly insulated, contact a licensed insulation contractor or homebuilder to examine the attic and other areas that should be insulated. The proper amount of insulation which is needed to minimize the amount of heat escaping into the attic from the house can vary from one home to another. A professional can discuss the types of insulation available and which product will best fit the needs of your home.
Another key to ice dam prevention is proper attic ventilation. It is very important to have adequate attic ventilation so any heat lost from the interior of the house into the attic is drawn up and out of the home. Adequate ventilation also helps the roof deck stay cool and allows for moisture that builds up from regular daily activities, such as cooking and bathing, to escape.
If ice dams have caused interior water damage, home owners should immediately call a reputable company that specializes in water damage restoration. Professional water damage specialists will work quickly to assess your needs, remove water and water damage and speed drying. After all, if water isn't removed quickly and properly, it creates the perfect breeding ground for mold to grow in your home. Left unchecked and allowed to develop and spread, mold will damage the materials it is living on and is a dangerous health threat to everyone living in the contaminated environment. Proper prevention of ice dam formation is key, but if water damage does occur, immediate remediation, treatment and restoration is a homeowner's best next step to preventing much larger and potentially hazardous conditions from arising.
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