Rid Your Roof of Pesky Ice Dams

Ice dams are the number one reason homeowners call residential roofing contractors during winter. Characterized by unmistakable icicles forming on the eaves of your roof, ice dams can cause massive damage, not only to the roof itself but to your attic as well. As ice dams form every winter, your roof will begin to show signs of early deterioration, which could mean you’ll be needing a replacement earlier than the expected life span of your roof.

With the cold days of winter just around the corner, it’s important to take steps to prevent ice dams from forming in the first place. Here are the best ways to avoid and deal with this seasonal problem.

How Ice Dams Form

To prevent an ice dam disaster from ever occurring in the first place, one must understand how they form. You don’t have to be a residential roof repair expert to learn what factors can lead to an ice dam problem but it might sound ironic that it’s actually excessive heat from your interiors that causes this problem. As hot air rises to the peak of your roof, it melts the snow there. This melted snow drips to the edges of the roof where it refreezes into ice forming a “dam.” Over time, water gathers in the dam and penetrates the vulnerable underlayment underneath.

Preventing Ice Dams

There are many ways to avoid ice dams from forming. Solutions range from wire attachments around the edges of the roof to heated gutters. But the best long-term solution would be to properly insulate the attic itself to avoid the drastic temperature differences that cause ice dams to form. Additionally, you could also ventilate the attic from the soffits to keep temperature levels on the roof and attic under control.

Dealing With Ice Dams

Unfortunately, when you’re already having ice dams, the best solution is to call your roofing installation company for ice dam removal services. You can try a DIY approach but the risks involved are far too great not to entrust the job to the pros.

Our roofing professionals at Dior Construction can help you find solutions to the seasonal problem of ice dams. Give us a call at (201) 472-5462 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation and request a free estimate today. We serve homeowners in Essex County, NJ, and all nearby areas.