Winter brings picturesque snow-covered roofs, but it also introduces a hidden danger: ice dams. These ridges of ice that form at the edge of your roof may seem harmless at first, but over time, they can cause significant damage to your home’s structure, roof, insulation, and interior. Understanding how ice dams form and the destruction they can unleash is essential for homeowners in cold climates. Today, we at Nickerson Roofing would like to discuss how ice dams can damage your roof and home.
What is an Ice Dam?
An ice dam occurs when snow on a roof melts due to heat escaping from the attic. The melted water runs down the slope of the roof and refreezes when it reaches the colder edge, typically near the eaves or gutters. As this cycle repeats, a ridge of ice builds up, trapping water behind it. This standing water has nowhere to go but back under your shingles, and that’s when the real trouble begins.
Damage to Roof Materials
Once water starts seeping under the shingles, it can penetrate the underlayment and reach the wooden decking beneath. This can lead to:
– Rotting wood in the roof structure
– Warped or loosened shingles
– Weakened roof integrity over time
The added weight of the ice can also cause gutter systems to pull away from the home or collapse entirely, especially if the ice becomes too heavy.
Interior Water Damage
The water that backs up under the shingles often finds its way into the attic or ceiling space, soaking insulation and interior walls. This can lead to:
– Ceiling stains and water spots
– Peeling paint or damaged plaster
– Swollen or warped drywall
If left untreated, this moisture can spread, damaging electrical wiring, lighting fixtures, and even flooring materials below.
Mold & Mildew Growth
Water intrusion from ice dams also creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to develop. Moisture in insulation and drywall can lead to hidden colonies of mold, posing a risk to both your home’s structure and your family’s health. Mold remediation is costly, and it often requires tearing out affected building materials.
Energy Loss & Reduced Efficiency
As if water damage weren’t enough, ice dams can also compromise your home’s energy efficiency. Wet insulation loses its effectiveness, leading to higher heating bills and increased heat loss, ironically, the very thing that helps form ice dams in the first place.
Prevention is Key
The best way to protect your home is through ice dam prevention. Proper attic insulation, air sealing, and roof ventilation help regulate roof temperature and reduce the risk of snowmelt and refreezing. In high-risk areas, installing heat cables or professional-grade ice shields may also help prevent buildup.
Roof Repair, Replacement & More in Truckee, Mystic, Tahoe City, Kings Beach & The North Lake Tahoe Basin of California
If you suspect an ice dam is forming or see signs of water intrusion, don’t wait. Professional ice dam removal using safe steam techniques can prevent extensive, and expensive, damage to your home. By addressing ice dams quickly and understanding how they impact your property, you can preserve the structural integrity and comfort of your home all winter long. Call Nickerson Roofing when you are in need of roofing services.
