Are you a home or property owner in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut? When the cold months come around in the Northeast, you’re sure to see plenty of snow, ice and chilly days as the temperatures drop.

In the midst of the winter wonderland, however, your home or business can face some serious winter issues — like ice dam situations. You want to enjoy every season to its fullest, but you also want to make sure your property is protected and undamaged. Whether you’re dealing with ice dam formation or hoping to prevent it, here’s everything you need to know about home preparation for ice dams.

What Are Ice Dams?

Posing a risk to residential and commercial properties alike, an ice dam is an ice ridge that forms along the edge of a roof in cold weather. This ice barrier prevents melting snow and ice from draining off your roof, causing a buildup of water, ice and snow. When left untouched, an ice dam can both weigh down your roof and cause leaking from excess water. Therefore, it’s important to prevent or get rid of ice dams before or as soon as they form.

What Causes Ice Dam Formation?

For ice dams to form, temperatures above the roof must reach slightly above freezing, while lower surfaces are slightly below freezing. This temperature discrepancy causes the ice on the rim of the room to solidify while the snow on top begins to melt. As the water from the higher portion of the roof flows down to the edge, it freezes and forms an icy barrier — the ice dam.

When the snow on top continues melting and freezing on the edge over days or months, the ice dam gets bigger and bigger. Over time, the water behind the dam will build up and leak into the house through cracks in the roof, causing stains, wall warping, insulation damage and other issues.

How to Prevent Ice Dams on Your Roof

When it comes to treating ice dams, the best way to protect your property is to prevent them from ever forming. You can stop ice dam formation by lining your roof’s edge with clip-on heated cables. These cables will increase your roof’s temperature to stop the snow runoff from freezing and building an icy barrier.

Areas and Homes Prone to Ice Dams

Where do you have to worry about your home forming ice dams? Regions that experience snowy, icy winters and low temperatures are especially susceptible to ice dams. Northeastern states including New Jersey, New York and Connecticut can be prone to these pesky ice barriers during the winter months, so keep an eye on your roof if you own a property in one of these areas.

You can also spot potential ice dam formations from inside your home. Visible leaks in the ceiling can be a sign of ice damming as the ice melts during warmer days. Meltwater flowing into the home is a sign the ice dam has reached maturity and should be dealt with as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

How to Get Rid of Ice Dams

If you haven’t taken the proper measures for preventing ice dams on your property, the best way to protect your roof is to hire professional ice dam removal services. Digging or scraping the dams yourself can be both dangerous and bad for your roof — instead, call Add Ventures. As a high-quality, hassle-free home improvement company serving several areas in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we offer service you can count on.

Call 845-357-7134 or contact us online today for help with your ice dam situation.

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