Exploring the Causes & Dangers of Ice Dams

As we come to the end of this record-breaking winter here in Vilas County, North Twin Builders reminds homeowners to watch out for ice dams. It is important to know how to recognize ice dams, be cautious when trying to deal with them, and seek a long-term solution.

Most homeowner first notice icicles hanging from the edge of their roof or gutters. However, it’s common to not be able to see ice dams developing from the ground as they tend to form around chimneys and skylights, and climbing on the roof in the winter for an inspection can be very risky. Understanding what causes ice dams and how to prevent them are a homeowner’s best tool against this danger.

Why Does My Home Have Ice Dams?

Ice dams are caused by a combination of building flaws in your home, cold weather and the natural insulation properties of all that snow Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Michigan are blessed with. The heat from your home creates a stack affect, pushing warm air up through the ceiling and attic, where it collects and creates pressure in the peaks of your roof. If your home isn’t air sealed, your insulation is put to the test. A lack of proper insulation and ventilation allows this heat to drift out through your attic and roof.

This escaping heat then melts the standing snow and causes a stream of water to run down the roof. As the water reaches the overhang or gutters, where the inside temperature of your home has less affect, the water freezes. As new snow falls and melts, the runoff water is blocked by the formed ice ridges, and is pushed back up and potentially through the roof. If you hadn’t been thinking about those hanging icicles, you will be when you notice water spots on your ceiling!

Why Should I Be Concerned About Ice Dams?

Water damage to the inside of your home is not the only problem ice dams can cause. The ice can loosen shingles or cause gutters to tear off, leaving you with plenty of maintenance chores come spring. If you try to get rid of ice dams yourself, you may accidentally cause even more harm. As hanging icicles break off, they can damage property below and should be considered a threat to people passing underneath. It’s important to recognize these icicles for what they are – a threat to your home’s safety!

If your attention is first caught by a drip in your ceiling, chances are you already have internal problems developing. If left unattended, you could be faced with serious structural harm that will cost you tons of time and money. It’s important to be pro-active when it comes to ice dams to prevent these wide-spread damages.

Why, If Only…

In an ideal situation, you were thinking about ice dams before the year’s snow began falling and took precautions to prevent them, thanks to your handy home maintenance checklist. Or, even better yet, your home was built so well that you don’t have to think about ice dams at all! However, if you are reading this, chances are neither of these statements fit your current situation.

In the second part of this blog, North Twin Builders will discuss some of the methods you may consider for solving your ice dam problem in the short-term. However, long-term action is absolutely necessary. Learn how to fix this problem and the underlying issues that cause ice dams permanently!

Check back on our blog next week for ice dam solutions from North Twin Builders!