Utah is home to the “greatest snow on Earth.” As a Northern Utah homeowner, you get to enjoy the beauty of this snowfall from the comfort and warmth of your home. However, while you may enjoy spending your time skiing, snowboarding, and making snow angels, this snow can have serious consequences on your home. If left unchecked on your roof, it may be responsible for the formation of ice dams.
While you might not think ice dams are that detrimental to your roof, they can lead to major, costly damage. If you want to learn more about how these form, the risk of leaving them unchecked, and how to prevent them, keep reading.
What are Ice Dams?
When you look up at your roof, you may notice a ridge of ice forming along its edge. This is an ice dam. These form when snow melts on a portion of your roof above freezing. As this melted snow moves down your roof, it may refreeze on portions of your roof that are above freezing. When more snow melts, the water backs up, causing the dam to form and grow.
In places like Utah, where we receive an average of over 500 inches of snow a year, it isn’t uncommon for homeowners to deal with ice dams. These dams can be an eyesore, but the problems go beyond aesthetic concerns. If left unaddressed, ice dams can lead to incredibly serious and costly damage.
How an Ice Dam Can Damage Your Roof
There are several ways that ice dams can damage your roof. The most common forms of damage you may experience as a result of this dam formation include:
- Roof Leaks: As the snow on your roof melts and the resulting water gets stuck behind an ice dam, it may attempt to find other places to go, including beneath your shingles and into your home.
- Loose Shingles: When the snow melts and water seeps beneath your shingles, it may begin to push them up, loosening them. Over time, they may curl up or detach from the roofing deck altogether.
- Flashing Issues: The melted snow doesn’t just impact your shingles. It can also pool behind your flashing. As the water freezes, it can light and warp your flashing, impacting your roof’s watertight seal and causing leaks around your chimney.
- Insulation Damage: When the melted snow finds its way beneath your shingles and into your home, it may cause damage to your insulation. As the insulation gets wet, it can no longer keep your home warm, leading to increased heating bills and chilly nights.
- Roof Collapse: While this kind of damage is far more uncommon, your ice dams may lead to roof collapse. The snow melt may damage the structural supports of your roof, causing decay and eventual collapse.
If you notice damage to your roof, it is essential that you schedule roof repairs as soon as possible. Allowing this damage to go unchecked through the winter months can lead to more significant damage across your roof and in your home.
Preventing Ice Dams from Forming
While ice dams pose a serious risk to the structural integrity and comfort of your home, there are a few ways you can prevent them. Prevention begins in the fall. Make sure to clean your gutters, removing any dead leaves and other organic debris from your gutters. If your gutters are clogged at the start of winter, improper drainage can lead to ice dam formation.
As snow begins to fall, it is essential that you remove it whenever possible. While the sun may melt some of the snow from your roof, it may not be capable of addressing it all. As the snow melts and refreezes, you may notice dams forming. The easiest way to remove snow from your roof is by investing in a snow rake, which allows you to remove snow without needing a ladder.
Finally, if you notice icicles and snow forming on your downspouts, it is important to remove them as soon as possible. Even if your gutter is clear, these ice barriers prevent additional drainage, can damage your gutter system, and can play a role in the formation of new ice dams on your roof.
Other Risks from Cold Weather
Ice dams can cause a great deal of roof damage throughout the winter months. However, they aren’t the only way your roof may be damaged. Some other common forms of winter weather damage include:
- Brittle, damaged shingles due to the freeze-thaw cycle
- Flashing damage from improper snow rake usage
- Snow load stress, leading to sagging or collapse
- Gutter and downspout damage
- Condensation in your attic
No matter what damage you are experiencing in your home, you need to work with a reliable roofing contractor for repairs. They can make necessary repairs as soon as possible, helping you avoid leaks and additional damage to your living spaces throughout the coldest months of the year.
Address Winter Weather Damage with Lifetime Roofing
If winter weather has damaged your roof, turn to our team at Lifetime Roofing for support. For almost two decades, we’ve provided the most reliable and comprehensive roofing services to homes across Northern Utah. Whether you’re dealing with minor damage or need major repairs, our trained and certified professionals are ready to help you through it all.
Don’t let this winter weather damage get you down; contact our team today and schedule essential repairs to keep your home safe.