In snowy states like Pennsylvania, winters can wreak havoc on your roof, especially when ice dams occur. Ice dams are a particular issue in homes without efficient attic insulation and the damage they cause often needs extensive roof repair. Below is a guide to ice dams, how they damage your roof, and what you can do about it.
An Introduction to Ice Dams
What Are Ice Dams?
Ice dams are icy structures that accumulate on a house’s eaves and are often accompanied by large stalactites of ice that pose a danger to those walking beneath them. Ice dams form during freeze-thaw cycles. As heat escapes from a poorly insulated attic, the snow on the roof melts, and water streams toward the unheated eaves, where it freezes again. As more snow melts, the process begins again, and the ice dam grows larger.
How Do Ice Dams Damage Your Roof?
When melting water can’t drain from the roof, the water accumulates underneath the shingles and freezes. As the ice expands, it lifts and tears the shingles above it, allowing more moisture to seep beneath them. Older shingles become more brittle as they age, making them increasingly susceptible to ice dam damage and the need for roof repair.
How Can You Prevent Ice Dams?
The most significant step you can take is fully insulating your attic since escaping heat contributes to melting snow and eventual ice buildup. Be sure to clean out your gutters every autumn so that melting snow can flow freely from the roof instead of accumulating due to clogged troughs or downspouts. You can also have a waterproof membrane installed beneath the shingles along the bottom edge of your roof to drain water from the roof. Finally, consider installing radiant heat cables along the eaves to prevent ice formation and roll water off the roof before freezing.
If ice dams have left your roof in need of repair, contact Pittsabana Contracting Services in Mount Lebanon, PA. As Allegheny County’s premier asphalt shingle roofing contractor, they have served the region for 4 years. They offer exceptional work, fast, friendly service, and competitive roof installation and repair rates. Learn more by visiting their website or call (412) 580-6567 to make an appointment for roof repair.
