Winter in Ohio is in full swing, and with that comes unpredictable weather, like heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and fluctuating temps that can seriously damage your roof. In the wintertime, the most common issue that homeowners face in terms of their roof is related to ice dams. Ice dams can cause damage to roofing materials, insulation, gutters, and can even disturb your home’s interior if left unresolved for long periods of time. At Craig Roofing, we strive to help our Ohio homeowners protect their spaces year round so they have the proper tools they need to stretch out the time between roof maintenance. In this blog, we’ll talk about what ice dams are, along with all of our expert tips for preventing ice dams during the wintertime.
What are Ice Dams?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof, preventing melted snow from flowing off of the roof. This cold water starts backing up behind the ice dam, which can either freeze and elongate the ice dam. When the water stays in liquid form, it has the potential to leak into the home, bringing in water damage to ceilings, insulation, walls, and more. Once water gets into the home, your house is now susceptible to moisture problems, like mildew, mold, and bacterias.
There are several steps you can take to avoid ice dam formations including:
1. Safely Remove Excessive Snow
After a night of heavy snowfall, you’re going to have lots of snow build-up on the roof. By removing this extra snow, you’re taking the first step to prevent ice dam formation. Be sure that you’re always using an expert-approved roof rake to remove snow – using harsher tools can severely damage your roof and lead to costly and time consuming repairs. You may damage shingles or even put your own safety at risk. Never use sharp tools or aggressive movements, and avoid walking on slippery, icy roofs.
2. Seal Air Leaks
Internal air leaks are a major contributor to ice dam formation. Gaps are commonly found around attic doors, exhaust fans, chimneys, or even light fixtures. When there is such a leak, it allows warm air to rise and escape into the attic. The attic is the first line of defence against the roof, so keeping the area sealed off and maintained is vitally important. Use sealant to close off these areas to prevent heat loss and to protect the roof from unneeded stress.
3. Proper Attic Ventilation
Most of us know the importance of insulation in the attic, but really, ventilation goes hand-in-hand with keeping your attic pristine. Attics that are well ventilated allows cold air to circulate around, which keeps the surface of the roof cooler. As mentioned early, warm air is what causes ice dams to form, so you’ll want as much cool air circulation as possible up there. Soffit vents, ridge vents, and even gable vents all act as wonderful tools that are commonly used to regulate attic temperature and prevent warm air from rising.
4. Optimized Attic Insulation
Perhaps one of the most effective ways to prevent ice dams is by installing the best attic insulation. Attic insulation often gets pushed to the side, but in places like Ohio where ice dams are a serious, costly threat, homeowners must treat the attic with the same importance as the higher-traffic areas of the home. Bad insulation solutions will allow warm air to escape through the roof, since warm air rises. Eventually, this will melt the snow, and probably unevenly, too. Good insulation will keep the heat inside of the home while working in conjunction with ventilation to keep cool air in the attic. Most older homes will have insufficient insulation, so if your home was built decades ago, you probably want to schedule a consultation to make sure your space is up to date.
5. Keep Gutters Clean
Gutters that are clogged are more likely to trap water and snowy sludge, increasing the risk of ice buildup along the edges of your roof. We strongly urge you to make sure that the gutters are thoroughly cleaned before the snowy season begins, so anything that falls into them can flow out nicely rather than create a cold, hard, and expensive mess. Allowing proper drainage will let melting snow flow from the roof rather than freezing on the edges.
6. Schedule Routine Roof Inspections
Sometimes, proactivity is the best medicine to remedy roof concerns. The number one best way to protect your home from ice dams is by identifying problem areas often and early. Professional roof inspectors will be able to easily identify risk factors, such as shifty insulation or ventilation, backed up gutter pipes, or damaged shingles and remedy the problem before the snow hits the fan. Professionals that are familiar with local temperatures and issues will best be able to assist you.
Trust Craig Roofing in Akron, OH with Your Roofing Needs this Winter
You heard it, folks – ice dams are common in Ohio but absolutely and affordably preventable when you choose the right professionals to work with. Craig Roofing vows to keep your home protected throughout all seasons, from boiling summers to frozen winters. If you’re concerned about ice dams this winter, or just looking for a quick inspection to make sure you’re in check for the upcoming seasons, contact Craig Roofing today!