Dealing with Ice Dams

2/13/2022 (Permalink)

We have recently been getting quite a bit of snow here in Western New York.  Some people love it. Others can’t wait for it to melt.  The key is being ready for when it does melt.  All this snow building up and melting on your roof can turn into a recipe for disaster.  We aren’t just talking about the danger of icicles falling on you. Today, we’re talking about ice dams.  Ice dams are the result of ice building up near the gutters on a roof which will prevent snowmelt from draining properly and can even cause a significant amount of property damage.  Ice dams are known to tear off gutters, loosen shingles, or even cause water to back up into the home leaving insulation wet and creating a prime target for mold growth.

Driving around the streets of Western New York, it’s easy to see all of the giant icicles forming on almost every single building.  Although they may look beautiful, they are a clear indication that water is melting off of the roof.  When these large icicles form on the gutters, they leave no path for melting snow to travel off the roof.  Once the water is pooled up, it will begin to soak into your roof and find any cracks or entryways that it can to get into your home.  Before this can happen, it’s best to keep your gutters free and clear of ice build-up.  Many people accomplish this by use of a roof rake to take large amounts of snow off of your roof.

If you do suffer water damage from ice damming, there are a few things you should do. If you think it’s worthy of an insurance claim, call your carrier and start that process ASAP. You should also contact a roofer to repair the leak so that no further water can infiltrate your home. After that, call us at SERVPRO of The Southtowns 24/7/365 for water damage mitigation – we’re here to help.