Icicles Are a Sign of Trouble
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. Large icicles hanging from your roof are a sign you have an ice dam. If this sounds like your building, it’s important to remove the dam before it causes a roof leak.
During this time of the year, it’s not uncommon for a heavy snowfall to be followed by warmer, sunny weather. The warm temperatures can create a lot of water runoff. The water will freeze in the gutters at night and create an ice dam. Once the dam forms, meltwater will overflow the gutter and create icicles.
Waiting for the sun to do its job and melt the ice dam is not a good idea. It’s important to remove ice dams once you notice you have one. The dam can cause the meltwater to seep under the roof and create a roof leak.
Prevention is Key
Keeping your gutters free of debris is the best way to prevent ice dams from forming. If you haven’t checked your gutters in a while, now’s the time to do it.
A well-insulated roof can also prevent interior heat from melting the snow and creating an ice dam.
If you find a roof leak in your building on a warm day after a heavy snowfall, check your gutters for an ice dam. If you find one, have it removed before the leak causes interior damage.
Start a Regular Maintenance Program
The professionals at United Materials can help you avoid roofing problems. A regular maintenance program can get the most out of your roof by finding roof issues before they cause major damage to your building and your pocketbook.
The RoofGuard® maintenance program from United Materials is a great option. With the RoofGuard® program, a trained professional from United Materials will inspect your roof every six months and provide you with a roof condition report. Contact us to learn more.
And keep an eye on those icicles!