Ice Dam Removal: What is an Ice Dam?

12/10/2019 (Permalink)

This info graphic shows how an ice dam can create water damage in your home.

In the cold winter months of New England, it is not unusual for snow to be covering your roof, or to have icicles hanging along roof eaves for most of the season. It snows all the time up here! Unfortunately, what looks like a ‘winter wonderland’ may actually be damaging your home.

What is an Ice Dam?

An Ice Dam forms when melted snow refreezes at roof edges and can form with even as little as 1 or 2 inches of snow.

Three things are needed for an ice dam to form:

1. Snow
2. Heat to melt the snow
3. Cold to refreeze melted snow into solid ice.

How Can Ice Dams Damage Your Home?

Ice Dams dislodge the shingles of your roof, making way for water to enter your home. The under-layer of the ice dam continuously melts and re-freezes due to the warmth of your roof, resulting in water entering your home.

This leads to:

• Water-stained ceilings
• Peeling paint
• Trapped moisture in ceilings, walls & insulation which creates room for mold and mildew to grow
• Ruin gutters and make them sag.

Altogether, the water damage from ice dams can affect the structure of your home.

What Should You Do?

To completely remove an ice dam without damaging your roof, it is likely best to call specialists like SERVPRO® of Meriden. We have specialized equipment to safely and easily remove ice dams. We’re available 24/7 for emergency service. Call us today.

Source: UMass Amherst