Heavy snowfall and winter freezing and thawing result in ridges of ice—or ice dams—forming on the eaves of the house that trap water on the roof. Water formed by melting snow backs up and often seeps under the shingles and into the home. This results in expensive property damage and the formation of mold. Blue Ridge Property Restore, the premier water damage restoration service in Martinsburg, WV, explains how ice dams form and how to prevent them from occurring. 

How Do Ice Dams Form?

When heat loss from the roof results in snowmelt, the water flows downward until it reaches the eaves or overhangs. Since there is no heated area beneath the overhang, this part of the roof is colder, and the moisture refreezes. As this reoccurs over time, a ridge of ice forms at the edge of the roof, trapping the snowmelt and causing it to pool. This moisture could enter the home, damaging the walls, ceiling, and flooring, which requires expensive water damage restoration.

How Do You Prevent It?

To avoid these problems, you need to prevent the ice dam from forming in the first place. Effectively insulating the attic is a good place to start, since the heat loss of a poorly insulated roof contributes to the snow melt that causes the problem. Also, install an adhesive waterproof barrier atop the decking and below the shingles around the edge of the roof. This prevents moisture penetration. Since these solutions are both time-consuming and costly, address these problems more easily and affordably by raking the snow off the roof after every heavy storm. Another solution is to install electric heat cables along the eaves to prevent ice from forming in those spots. To stop the thawed water from immediately refreezing, run a cable along a rain gutter and through a downspout to reroute the moisture.

If an ice dam has resulted in water damage or mold inside the home, contact the team at Blue Ridge Property Restore. They’re the leading water damage restoration and mold remediation company in Martinsburg, with more than a decade in business. Send them an online message via their website, or call (304) 262-8100 to speak with a fire and water restoration expert.