What are ice dams?
When the temperature in your attic is above freezing, snow on the roof will likely melt. When the snowmelt runs down the roof and hits the colder eaves, it refreezes.If this cycle repeats over several days, the freezing snowmelt builds up and forms an ice dam, behind which water pools into large puddles, or "ponds". The ponding water can then back up under the roof covering and leak into the attic or along exterior walls.The right weather conditions for ice dams are usually when outside air temperatures are in the low 20s (°F) for several days with several inches of snow on the roof.
Winter water damage warning signs to watch for
Recognize the signs of stress when too much snow and ice has accumulated on your roof or when you have too much condensation in your attic. Here are a few things to watch for.
- Sagging ridgeline
- Drooping ceilings
- Water leaks on interior walls and ceilings
- Jammed doors
- Cracked interior walls near the center of your home
- Creaking sounds
What not to do
While it might be tempting to try a quick fix to break up that ice dam, don't get too eager; not only is it dangerous on your roof, but you can also cause a lot of damage, especially in the colder months. Here are some things to consider.
- Do not routinely remove snow from the roof or attempt to "chip away"the ice of an ice dam. It will likely lead to shingle damage.
- Do not install large mechanical equipment or water heaters in attics, especially in cold climates. Not only do they present an unwelcome fire hazard, but they'll also increase the temperature in your attic.
- Do not routinely use salt or calcium chloride to melt snow on a roof. These chemicals are very corrosive and can shorten the life of metal gutters, downspouts and flashings. Runoff that contains high concentrations of these chemicals can damage nearby grass and plants.
What to do
- Follow up with your new home or home-improvement contractor to be sure that insulation in the attic space is adequate for your location.
- Verify soffit and roof or ridge venting exists for all roof planes and that soffit vents are neither blocked by attic insulation nor covered by newly installed maintenance free finishes outside the home.
- Verify all penetrations, access panels and electrical fixtures are properly sealed and insulated to prevent heat and moisture from entering the attic space, while maintaining manufacturer's required clearances.
- Verify all exhaust fans and dryer vents are discharged to the outside.
- Keep gutters clean of leaves and other debris. This will not necessarily prevent ice dams, but clean gutters can help drain away ice melt as it makes its way to the gutters during a thaw.
- Follow up a short-term ice dam remedy with determining and fixing the actual cause to your ice dam problem. Consult a trusted and competent professional.
If your home suffers damage this winter, contact your State Farm® agent to see if it's covered under your homeowner's policy. Check out more winter home maintenance tips here.