Mother Nature has a wide variety of ways to damage your roof and your home. While wind and sun can fade or destroy parts of your roof, their damage is obvious. More insidious is the damage done by water and winter’s cold weather.
In particular, a wet winter – whether from rain, sleet or snow – can create “ice dams” that will not only damage the roof itself but can allow water to infiltrate the home and even create a safety hazard for you, your family and your guests.
How Ice Dams Form
An ice dam forms as a result of the thawing and freezing cycle that occurs on your roof. Cold rain or snow lands there, is then thawed out by the heat that seeps out from the home and then refreezes. Unfortunately, any liquids formed will pool, freeze and build up in to a “dam.”
The Damage Ice Dams Cause
The frozen dam itself is not particularly damaging but it can allow water to flow into the house when it thaws causing damage to electrical and other systems within the house. Ice dams can also lead to the creation of icicles along the perimeter of your house which an lead to physical injury when the weather warms up and they fall.
Be Proactive With A Roof Inspection
The best way to avoid ice dams is with a proactive roof inspection before the weather gets cold. A licensed roofing contractor, like Bill West Roofing, can identify trouble spots where excess heat may escape and recommend ways to properly insulate them. For particularly vulnerable area, there are heat strips that can be installed to actively eliminate the problem.
Consequences Of Unavoided Ice Dams
Avoiding ice dams is a task that should concern every homeowner. If you choose to ignore them, you may find yourself dealing with a broken window and injured child or even a leak in the middle of winter. In addition, the middle of a winter storm is no time to be dealing with those situations. Instead, take the matter in hand during more temperate months and rest assured that your home and your loved ones are safe during the winter.
Get Help Dealing With Ice Dams
It is always a good idea to seek professional help if you encounter an ice dam on the roof of your home or business. Certified roofing contractors have the training you need to remove ice dams without causing further damage to the roof of your home or business structure. If you think you have an ice dam on your roof contact Bill West Roofing today!
For more information on this and other roofing issues or if you are looking for a roofing contractor in the Kansas City area, please contact us at Bill West Roofing.
