How To Prevent an Ice Dam After a Winter Storm

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Another way to prevent a dam is to remove snow from your roof as soon as possible.

How To Avoid an Ice Dam

Snow and other severe weather in Lochwood, TX, can negatively affect your home in several ways. One thing that can cause damage is an ice dam. This occurs when snow melts and refreezes on your roof. When these form, they can make it difficult for water to drain from your roof. Over time, this water will make its way beneath the roof and into the ceiling underneath, causing deterioration and mold growth. There are a few ways that you can prevent this.

1. Keep Your Home Insulated
The cause of an ice dam forming on your roof is often heat escaping from inside the house. When the top floor or attic of your home is not properly insulated, the roof can become warm enough to melt the snow on top of it. When it eventually gets cold enough to refreeze, it forms a dam. Make sure your home is well-insulated to keep the warmth inside where it belongs.

2. Ventilate The Roof
Ice dam prevention can also be done by cooling the roof itself. Adding vents to the roof can help keep the temperature of your attic or top floor more stable. Air is able to circulate through the area, keeping it cool and reducing the heat that could melt the snow on your roof.

3. Remove Snow Buildup After a Winter Storm
Another way to prevent a dam is to remove snow from your roof as soon as possible. If it has recently stormed, you can use a snow rake to clean your roof, preventing the snow from melting and refreezing on top of your home. This can be more difficult for buildings with multiple levels, so you should only use this method if it is safe to do so.
A professional water damage remediation company can repair your home if needed, but it is a good idea to take precautions when it snows to prevent an ice dam. Keeping the temperature of your roof cool and consistent will help keep the snow from melting, and removing snow after a storm can reduce damage as well.