What to Know About Melting Snow!

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Protect yourself from melting snow!

It’s that time of the year when flower buds, sunshine, and chirping birds are at the forefront of our minds. There is a peaceful feeling that comes with the winter months melting before our eyes. While we know how exciting this change in season can be, there are a few things you should be aware of!

ICE DAMS

During the cold season, snow and ice will often form around the gutters and lower portion of your roof. When the heat from your roof melts this snow, it begins to pool and gather in your getters. This water then freezes and will create icicles or ice dams.

The problem with this is that when it begins to melt during the blooming of spring when the water has nowhere to go, it will begin to seep in through your roof.

THE TRICKLE EFFECT

When this happens, there is one other big issue that can occur, the big M word. Mold.

Mold can be a serious health hazard, so you want to avoid ice dams and water damage at any cost.

HOW TO AVOID ICE DAMS

Here are three tips that can help you prevent damage from an ice dam

• Ventilation under the roof deck
  • keeps colder outside air moving through the attic and prevents it from warming above the freezing point so it can melt snow on the roof.
• Insulation in the ceiling
  • prevents warmer air from rising up into the attic space to melt snow on the roof.
• Blocking any heat sources
  • Try to prevent any heat sources from sending warm air up into the attic.

BE IN THE KNOW

Now that you are aware of these pesky little dams, it will be a lot easier to be prepared and prevent a disaster.

Ice dams come in many severities, some may way up to hundreds of pounds, which in turn can compromise your home’s structure. Size aside, when these phenomena melt, they can flow down causing serious damage to your roof, gutters, paint, insulation and interior drywall, etc.

If you think that your home or business has been compromised due to an Ice dam or other water damage, call SERVPRO of Decorah!

563.277.1615

We are here to help!