If you’ve lived in Kewanee, Illinois, for any amount of time, you’ve probably experienced some harsh winters. The snowfall can be beautiful, but if you’re a homeowner, you also know that snow and ice aren’t always friendly to your house—especially your roof. One of the most troublesome issues that come with these winters is something called ice dams. These sneaky formations can wreak havoc on your roof and lead to costly repairs if you don’t know how to deal with them.
How Ice Dams Form During the Winter
Snow can build up on your roof, especially during those times when temperatures are all over the place. This whole situation happens because of a few important elements: the snow itself, heat from your home, and a lack of proper ventilation in the roof. When these factors come together, it can lead to some real problems up there.
Heat Escaping from Your Home: The process begins when heat from your home escapes into the attic. Warm air rises, and if your attic isn’t properly insulated or ventilated, this heat will warm the roof’s surface.
Melting Snow: When the roof warms, the snow sitting on top of it starts to melt. This melted snow turns into water, which begins to flow down the slope of the roof toward the eaves, where the roof is cooler.
Refreezing Water: When the melted water reaches the colder, unheated sections of the roof near the eaves, it refreezes. Over time, this ice builds up and forms a dam, preventing additional melted snow from draining off the roof.
Water Backing Up: As it grows, it creates a barrier. The water trapped behind it has nowhere to go, so it pools and seeps underneath the shingles. Once underneath, it can penetrate the roof deck and leak into your attic, walls, and even the interior of your home.
This freeze-melt cycle can happen repeatedly throughout the winter months, especially in regions where daytime temperatures rise above freezing and then drop back down at night.
The Damage Ice Buildup Can Cause
Winter can bring about some sneaky trouble for your home. What might begin as a small annoyance can quickly escalate into major damage if you don’t take action. Here are some common problems that can arise when snow and ice build up on your roof:
1. Roof Leaks
When water from melting snow gets trapped, it has no choice but to seep into your roof. Once it finds its way under the shingles, it can lead to leaks. These leaks often go unnoticed at first, especially if they start in the attic or roof cavity. However, over time, they can cause water damage to ceilings, walls, and insulation, leading to costly repairs.
2. Water Damage Inside Your Home
Once water penetrates your roof, it can make its way into your home’s interior. You might start to notice water stains on your ceilings, peeling paint, or even warped wood. If water damage goes unchecked, it can weaken the structure of your home, causing more extensive repairs down the line.
3. Mold and Mildew Growth
Moisture trapped inside your attic or walls creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. Not only can mold cause structural damage, but it can also pose health risks to you and your family, especially if anyone suffers from allergies or respiratory conditions.
4. Gutter Damage
Ice dams are heavy, and the weight of the ice can put a significant strain on your gutters. In some cases, the ice can even cause your gutters to detach from the roofline, leading to damage that will require repair or replacement. Additionally, water freezing inside downspouts can cause blockages, preventing proper drainage.
5. Shingle Damage
The freeze-thaw cycle involved in their formation can be tough on your shingles. As water freezes and expands, it can lift or crack shingles, leaving your roof more vulnerable to future water damage and leaks.
Why They’re Common in Cold Climates
They’re most common in areas that experience cold winters with heavy snowfall. You’ll often find them on homes where the roof temperature is uneven—warm at the top and cold at the edges. Homes with inadequate insulation or poor ventilation are at the greatest risk.
What makes them a recurring issue is the cycle of freezing and thawing. In some areas, temperatures may rise just enough during the day to melt the snow, but once night falls, it gets cold again, and the water refreezes. This repeated cycle allows them to form and grow.
How to Prevent Ice Buildup on Your Roof
While buildup can cause significant damage, the good news is that there are several preventative measures you can take to reduce the risk of it forming on your roof. By focusing on proper insulation, ventilation, and regular maintenance, you can keep your roof in great shape throughout the winter.
Ensure Proper Attic Insulation:
One of the most effective ways to prevent this issue is by making sure your attic is properly insulated. Insulation helps keep warm air from rising into the attic and warming the roof. The goal is to keep the roof temperature as close to the outside temperature as possible, preventing snow from melting in the first place.
If insulation is inadequate, the heat from your home will escape into the attic, warming the roof and starting the formation process. Adding more insulation in the attic can help with this.
Improve Attic Ventilation:
Along with insulation, proper attic ventilation is crucial in preventing buildup. A well-ventilated attic allows cold air to flow through, keeping the roof at a more consistent temperature and reducing the likelihood of snow melting prematurely.
Your attic should have a balanced system of intake vents (located at the soffits or eaves) and exhaust vents (near the ridge). This setup promotes proper air circulation, helping to keep the roof’s surface cooler.
Seal Air Leaks:
Even with the right insulation and ventilation, warm air can still escape into your attic through small leaks. These leaks can happen around light fixtures, plumbing vents, chimneys, or other areas where air might escape.
Sealing these leaks with caulking or weatherstripping can keep warm air from entering the attic, reducing the chances of issues arising.
Clean Your Gutters Regularly:
Clogged gutters can make the problem worse by preventing melted snow from properly draining off your roof. Make sure to clean your gutters regularly, especially before winter, to ensure water has a clear path to flow away from the roof.
If your gutters tend to get clogged with leaves or debris, consider installing gutter guards to keep them clear throughout the year.
Use a Roof Rake:
A roof rake is a long-handled tool designed to help you remove snow from your roof while safely standing on the ground. By using a roof rake to clear snow from the edges of your roof, you can stop it from melting and refreezing.
It’s best to clear the snow after each heavy snowfall to prevent excessive buildup, which can lead to problems.
Install Heat Cables:
If you live in an area prone to these issues, you might want to think about installing heat cables along the edge of your roof. These cables help melt snow and ice, preventing problems from developing. While this solution can be effective, it’s typically used as a last resort for homes that are especially susceptible to buildup.
Mitigating Ice Dam Damage
Even if you take all the necessary precautions, those pesky formations can still occur under certain conditions. If you notice a buildup starting on your roof, it’s important to take action to prevent further damage.
Here’s how you can safely mitigate the issue:
Use Calcium Chloride: You can use calcium chloride to help melt the buildup. Fill a nylon stocking with it and place it over the formation, allowing it to gradually do its job. Just make sure to avoid using rock salt, as that can harm your roof and gutters.
Hire a Professional: If you’re facing a large formation or are concerned about causing more damage to your roof, it’s best to hire a roofing contractor. They have the tools and expertise needed to safely remove the issue without harming your roof.
Don’t Chip Away at It: While it might be tempting to try breaking it up with a hammer or shovel, this can lead to more problems. Chipping away at it can damage your roof, leaving you with an even bigger headache.
Conclusion
These pesky formations can lead to serious damage to your roof and home if you don’t address them properly. The good news is that with the right preventative measures—like proper insulation, good ventilation, and regular maintenance—you can significantly lower the risk of them showing up in the first place.
If you live in an area that experiences cold winters and frequent snowfall, it’s crucial to take steps to protect your roof before the snow starts piling up. By understanding how these issues develop and taking proactive measures to prevent them, you can avoid the costly damage they can cause and keep your home safe and dry throughout the winter.