Like many parts of the United States, Indianapolis experiences extensive snowfall. Naturally, any slow fall on a roof surface above freezing will melt. The water will then flow down the roof. However, the flowing water will freeze if it reaches a portion of the roof that is below 32°F, which then causes an ice dam. The ice dam then continues to grow as it is fed by the melting snow above it.
Understanding Ice Dams
An ice dam is a buildup of ice along the edge of the roof that eventually blocks snow water from draining off the roof as it should. It is called an ice dam because it comprises frozen water, and its size causes the continued accumulation of water on the roof in the same way as a dam would.
The Risks of Ice Dams on the Roof
Ice dams on the roof are a major hazard that needs immediate attention. They can:
- Force water from the roof to leak into the home, making it uninhabitable until something is done.
- Cause the roof decking to rot while also affecting the exterior and interior walls and framing.
- Lead to the growth of molds in the home, which can trigger respiratory illnesses like asthma and allergies.
- Reduce the effectiveness of insulation, which exacerbates the buildup of even bigger ice dams as the heat escapes to the roof to melt more snow.
What Causes the Formation of Ice Dams?
Ice dams are caused by the differences in roof surface temperature, which occur as a result of conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the state where heat travels through walls, ceilings, and solid flows. Convection occurs when hot air rises within the home. Radiation is when electromagnetic waves transfer the heat to keep the home warm. Depending on how much insulation you have in your home, your roof receives some spots of warmth through the attic.
If the roof becomes hotter than the outside temperature, ice dams form. The heat melts the snow on the roof, causing the water to flow down the gutters where the temperature is the same as that of the air outside, causing the water to refreeze. Various aspects cause these occurrences, including:
- Poor insulation of the attic
- Clogged gutters
- Lack of efforts to remove snow from the roof
How to Remove Ice Dams from the Roof
There are different ways to remove ice dams from the roof, including:
Chipping
Chipping involves the use of regular household tools, such as crowbars, hatchets, or ice picks. However, chipping should be done carefully to avoid causing damage to the roof itself. It is also quite tiring, and it can take extensive efforts to chip away at the ice from the gutters and on the upper parts of the roof.
The chipping method is also not a permanent solution, and you might need to do it regularly as the melted snow continues to refreeze. Luckily, you don’t need to remove all the ice but just enough to allow the melted snow to drain through the gutters.
Raking
There are specially designed roof snow rakes that can be the answer to your ice dam problem on the roof. The roof snow rake comes with wheels, and you do not have to drag it across the shingles. A more advanced roof snow rake comes with a telescoping handle that can extend to about 20 feet.
With a roof snow rake, you can scrape the snow from the roof and allow the melted snow to find its way down to the ground. The advantage of raking is that you can scrape the snow from the ground. However, scraping the snow sideways can tear the shingles off the roof.
De-Icing
De-icing is another effective procedure for dealing with ice dams on the roof. This method entails the use of a nylon stocking that is filled with calcium chloride. This calcium chloride is a type of salt used on roads during winter, and the same effects will work on the ice forming on the roof. The de-icing properties of the road will thaw the ice trapped in the gutters, which then allows water to drain as it should.
Ice Dams Removal Methods to Avoid
There are a few ways you cannot use to remove ice dams from the roof. For example, you might be tempted to use electric heat cables to remove the ice dams from the roof. It takes significant effort to install electric heat cables on the roof, and while they can deal with the ice dams, they will make the roof shingles brittle.
Hire a Professional
If you live in Indianapolis and ice dams are causing you unwarranted headaches, you don’t need to worry. Call Stay Dry Roofing and have your roof problems fixed. Professionals from Stay Dry Roofing know how to take care of ice forming on your roof, and they will do so with the least amount of risk of damage to your home.