With the winter weather on its way, it’s important to begin preparing your home for potential hazards. One commonly overlooked problem is ice damming, and the professional roofers at Ontario Exteriors in Rochester, NY, want to explain the problems it can cause. It’s an easy issue to prepare for, but when unaddressed, can cause significant water damage to your home’s roof and attic.

What Is Ice Damming?

Ice dams occur when ice is allowed to build up at the edge of a roof’s slope. As snow melts, it only contributes to this during freezing temperatures; however, when things warm up outside and everything begins to melt, standing water can get trapped behind the ice dam. This water can work its way into your home and will cause serious damage to your attic and walls. It can damage your roofing as well, leaving you with a large home repair bill to handle once the warm weather returns.

How to Prevent Ice Damming

Roofs with poor insulation are the primary reason ice dams build up. As your home heats up during winter, proper insulation should prevent this insulation from escaping. When a home’s attic or roof is not insulated correctly, snow and ice on the roof melt in the middle and re-freeze at the edge, causing ice dams. To prevent this, check your insulation before winter arrives. If you notice any flimsy or poorly packed areas, install new installation. Consulting a professional roofer to repair any existing issues is also important, as these will make it easy for melted snow to leak in if a dam occurs.

If you need assistance preparing your home for winter, turn to the professional roofers at Ontario Exteriors. They can inspect and repair any areas of concern and ensure your home is well protected against snow and ice. Call (585) 421-0880 to speak with their staff and visit their website and Facebook to learn about their house siding and new roof installation services.