PuroClean of Lafayette 
Did You Know
First… What is an ice dam? An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the eave of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.
Effects of an ice dam? Aside from causing damage to the exterior of your home (gutters, shingles, siding) moisture entering the home from an ice dam is sneaky. You may not even realize it’s happening and this can lead to the growth of mold and mildew causing respiratory problems. Moisture can also get caught in the attic creating soggy insulation that can become heavy causing stained and sagging ceilings and peeling paint.
How can I prevent an ice dam? Let’s start with your gutters. Removing leaves, twigs, and other debris from gutters and downspouts PRIOR to the first snow fall, helps prevent ice dams during freezing temperatures. It’s also important to ensure that your gutters and downspouts aren’t worn or damaged. While you’re checking the downspouts, make sure they divert water at least three to five feet away from the foundation. Add extensions to downspouts otherwise.
If you’ve previously had ice dams on your roof then your attic is not properly insulated and ventilated. Your attic, including the pipes, vents, light fixtures, and chimney systems must be insulated to prevent heat transfer to the attic. Besides providing insulation and sealing gaps, make sure your attic has enough ventilation to allow cold air into the attic.
How to get rid of an ice dam. Chopping away at ice dams with a hammer or shovel is bad for your roofing, not to mention it’s also incredibly dangerous! Short of praying for warmer weather here are a couple of quick tips.
- Use a roof rake after heavy snowfalls. Ice dams can appear quickly after a heavy snow because of the insulating properties. Using a long-handled roof rake, remove the snow from at LEAST the lower 4 feet of your roof edge. Removing the snow will instantly change the exterior temperature of your roof letting the snow melt and pass into your clean gutters.
- Use an ice-melt product. Although this can sometimes be useful in dissolving an active ice dam, it can also cause more harm than good especially to your surrounding vegetation come Spring.
- Hire a professional. When ice dam buildup is too much for you to handle, the solution is to call in a firm specializing in this service. Some roofing contractors offer this service during the winter when there is little roofing work to do.
*While following these tips can greatly help you prevent property damage due to an ice dam, it’s important to understand that a disaster can still occur. This is where PuroClean comes in.
We are your trusted restoration partner! We at PuroClean of Lafayette are prepared to meet you in your crisis with empathy and the best possible service to restore your property and its contents to pre-loss condition.
PuroClean of Lafayette 