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Tips for Preventing Ice Dam Water Damage Near You
1/17/2022 (Permalink)
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Winter Weather Worries in Madison, WI - Ice Dams
A roof leaking water into your interior walls, ceilings, and floors is not a pretty picture. Ice dams are a leading culprit for water leaks during the winter season. They form when heated air melts roof snow above and behind the dammed up ice when the trapped water cannot safely flow or run off the roof. The ice-dam backflows under the roof's shingles and into interior areas.
SERVPRO of Dane County West can help mitigate water damage caused by ice dams and help you get your structure back to preloss condition.
Tips to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof
Consider these tried and true preventative measures:
- Start by removing the offending culprit in the first place. Shovel or use a snow rake to remove the snow from your roof.
- Make sure your attic and rafter space is adequately insulated. Insulation is the first line of defense consideration.
- Make sure your attic and crawl spaces are well ventilated. The buildup of warm air in open areas above the layer of insulation is what causes snow on the roof to melt then freeze into ice dams in the first place.
- Make sure exhaust fans, plumbing vents recessed ceiling fans, and anything penetrating through your roof are sealed and insulated.
- Add properly installed heat tape to the lower few feet of the roof in areas where ice dams are likely to occur.
- Recessed lighting in a ceiling such as in an attic, truss cavity, or soffits can create a tremendous amount of heat that rises and melts snow on the roof. Recessed lights are seldom insulated and sealed correctly.
- Replacing heat-generating incandescent and halogen bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs is an easy way to reduce the amount of unwanted heat in your attic or truss cavities.
- Try to keep vaulted ceilings cooler than the rest of the home, if possible.
When should I be concerned about water coming inside my structure?
- Icicles forming on the edge of your roof are the most apparent indicator of ice dams and possible water invasion.
- Be extra aware when ice accumulates higher than just the edge of the roof, over the gutters, or up onto the roof itself.
- If ice forms underneath the soffits through the vents, on the wall, or under windows, water is invading your structure.
What do I do if I think I have water damage?
Call SERVPRO of Dane County West Today – (608) 497-3331
If winter weather strikes your business or home with water or fire damage, let us help strike back! Equipped with the training, tools, and experience to quickly and efficiently mitigate water or fire damage and restore your home or business, SERVPRO of Dane County West will help make it "Like it never even happened.”
- 24-Hour Emergency Service.
- IICRC Certified Firm.
- A+ rating from the BBB (Better Business Bureau).
- Angie's List recommended with an A-rated reputation
- 5-Star Google and Facebook rankings.
- We work with your insurance to help manage the insurance process and paperwork for a stress-free claims process.
- General Contractor License #: 1317784
Have Water Damage, Storm Damage, Flood Damage, Fire Damage or Mold?
Call SERVPRO of Dane County West Today (608) 497-3331