Why Do Ice Dams Form in Dayton and How Do I Prevent Them?

A diagram of why ice dams form and how do I prevent them?Why Do Ice Dams Form in Dayton and How Do I Prevent Them?

The transition from fall to winter brings about all kinds of change. As the temperature drops, snow regularly covers just about every inch of Dayton. Snow may be pretty but it can spell trouble for your roof. This beautiful winter weather, the freezing temperatures, and the abundance of snow that come with it—can lead to the formation of ice dams. Read on to find out why ice dams form and how to prevent them.

Ice dams are thick, wide ridges of ice that conform around the edges of your roof and prevent proper drainage of water from your roof. Ice dams can cause any number of problems on your roof from the excessive weight of the ice to harmful mold and mildew from standing water above the dam. These issues compound causing roof leaks, gutter damage, falling shingles, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 😉 

Your Roof Needs to Breathe!

The cause of ice dams is simply the temperature variations on your roof. Ice dams form when the top of your roof is above freezing and the low area is below freezing. Snow melts from the top of your roof, flows down towards the gutters, freezes, and prevents proper roof drainage.

Ice Dam Prevention is Key.

Prevent ice dams from forming by allowing proper attic ventilation. The uneven distribution of heat in your attic is to blame. There a several options to improve your home’s attic ventilation.  If you have experience with ice dams and are trying to prevent them it’s highly recommended to call an expert. Attempting to tackle this problem yourself may lead to self-injury, damages to your roof, and damages to your gutters. If you are able to fix the problem temporarily, the issue will continue to be a threat in the long term.

Van Martin’s team of certified contractors is given extensive training and materials developed by technical experts enabling them to stay up-to-date with the latest roof installation techniques. We offer expert roof maintenance, repair, and replacement to keep your Dayton, Ohio home safe and dry all year round. Schedule your free estimate today by calling us at (937) 222-7885, or schedule online. We serve Dayton and all of Southwest Ohio.

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