Ice Damming, Ice Dam, Roof Ice, siding repair,

Ice Dam | Ice Dam, Damming, Roof

What is an Ice Dam?
An Ice Dam on your roof is exactly that. Ice builds up on the roof line usually starting in the gutter. As snow accumulates on the roof up slope from the ice a melt/freeze process begins to take place. During the days some of the snow melts. As the water runs down the roof it gets trapped by the built up ice at the roof line. When the temperature drops at night the water freezes and the ice dam grows.

Frequently asked questions about Ice Dams.
How do I know if I have an Ice Dam?

You can usually see an ice dam in the form of ice build up at the roof line and icicles hanging from the edge. This may be harder to see in valleys or areas not visible from the ground. Also, leaks are an internal manifestation of the ice dam.

What causes an ice dam?

While weather certainly plays its role, there are two key factors that affect your chances of an ice dam and its severity. These two factors are Ventilation and Insulation. To minimize the melt/freeze cycle you want to keep the inside space under the roof as cool as possible so that it does not contribute to the melting part of the process. This is where Ventilation and Insulation are important.

Insulation: You want to have the proper amount of insulation between your living areas and attic inside the roof space. This help keep the upper area cool and keep your energy bills lower by containing the heat in the living space.

Ventilation: You want to "Wash" the inside with cool air. You achieve this by having a ridge vent or box vents near the peak of the roof line drawing air from soffit vents at the bottom of the roof.

For a free assessment of your current attic insulation or ventilation, please contact us today.

What kind of damage can an ice dam cause?

Ice dams can damage the edge of the roof line and the gutters as the weight of the ice pulls down on the gutter. Much worse are leaks that occur when the water backs up and seeps into your home. Some will be apparent by water spots on ceiling drywall or walls. However, its the leaks that you are unaware of that can pose the greatest threat as the moisture becomes a breeding ground for mold and rot.

Does having and ice dam bean there is something wrong with my roof?

No, shingled roofs are meant to shed water running down the slope. They are not designed to be impervious to standing water or water backing up the slope.

Are there preventative measures I can take to avoid getting an ice dam?

Yes, to a point. The weather and the design of your home are factors that cannot be controlled. The measures you can take are:

Advanced Designs can provide these services at a reasonable cost and can work with your insurance company to fix any damage you may already have.

How do I get rid of an ice dam?

This is something we strongly recommend you get a professional contractor for, like Advanced Designs. It is dangerous and can do extreme damage if not done properly with the right equipment. We use a superheated power spray stream method with commercial type spray equipment. We clean the downspout, then the gutter to allow water to flow off the roof area, which also minimizes the chances of subsequent ice damming. We then remove the ice from all problem areas. This method is much less invasive and damaging than pounding and/or chipping which unfortunately is done by other contractors and homeowners who don't realize the damage that can cause.

When should I file an insurance claim for ice dam removal or damages?

This is very much a case by case process and we suggest getting an opinion from a professional contractor BEFORE you make your claim. However, if you are incurring visible damage or have a leak, most reputable insurance providers will pay for both the removal of the ice dam and the repair of any damaged areas.

Contact us to sign up for a free estimate or to schedule any inspections or work you may need. You can also give our offices a call at 608-270-9988.

For a free price quote on your next roofing or siding project, please contact Advanced Designs Siding and Roofing Inc.