As the weather gets colder, ice and snow become increasingly serious issues to worry about. In particular, ice dams can potentially cause significant damage to your home if you are not careful about preventing and addressing them. But what exactly are ice dams, how can they damage your home, and what can you do if they form?
What Are Ice Dams?
An ice dam is a formation of ice that accumulates on the roof of your home after a major snow or ice storm. These can be identified by a large “wall” of ice that can be seen along the edge of your roof, often with icicles hanging over the edge. If not dealt with promptly, ice dams can pose a serious risk to your home, resulting in significant damage to your personal property.
How Do Ice Dams Form?
Ice dams do not always form simply because you are dealing with intense cold or winter storms. Instead, they tend to form due to heat leaking out of your home through your roof, perhaps due to a lack of adequate insulation or some kind of pre-existing damage to your roof. This causes the snow and ice that is already on your roof to melt, which then flows down to the edge of the roof and re-freeze, forming the dam.
How Can They Damage Your Home?
There are two main ways that ice dams can damage your home. The first is due to water accumulation on your roof, which can leak through and cause damage to the interior of your home, including your walls, your insulation, and anything found underneath the leak. The second is due to unseen buildup of mold or mildew, which can quickly spread and cause damage to your personal items, requiring specialized cleaning services to fully eliminate.
What Can You Do To Prevent or Treat Them?
To prevent ice dams, you should make sure your gutters are cleaned to prevent water from building up, and insulate your roof to reduce heat leakage. You should also check for other sources of heat leakage, such as ventilation systems, exhaust systems, and chimneys. If ice dams begin to form on your roof, using a rake to remove excess snow, then melting it with calcium chloride and warm water can help to remove them before trying to break them apart.
Anytime your home or other dwelling has been ruined or severely damaged, it is essential that you protect your property and the interest of your investment by enlisting the services of a Rubin and Rosen public adjuster. We can provide the assistance you need by helping you to work through the entire insurance process. If you want to make a property insurance claim and need assistance to obtain fair compensation for your losses, please give us a call at 718-376-6800 or visit our contact page.