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Dmitry Spac

Ice Dam Prevention Guide — What You Need to Know

Updated: Feb 14, 2022

Winter is a wonderful time of year for so many reasons, and snow is just one of them. However, the cold weather can also bring lots of turmoil like snow days, black ice, and property damage.

Frozen pipes and roof damage from snow are some of the more pressing issues resulting from cold weather. However, there’s another cold-weather incident that can cause damage to homes: ice dams.

This guide will walk you through what ice dams are, the hazards, and how to prevent them from damaging your property.



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What Are Ice Dams?

Ice dams are clumps and ridges of ice that gather at the edge of your roof and take over your siding and gutters. The ice is thick and completely solid.

Most ice dams form along the eaves of a roof, valleys, skylights, or interior rooms with vaulted ceilings. All of the snowiest U.S. cities are in the New England region, so you're at the highest risk if you live in these places.

These formations result from heat escaping the home and coming into contact with snow and ice.


The Hazards

Ice dams might look like pretty icicles that appear with the lovely snowfall, but they can also damage your home. In the last few years, cold weather conditions have caused over $2.9 billion in damage to property over the years.

Ice dams prevent snow and rain from draining off the roof, which creates a perfect environment for mold and mildew to form. They are hazardous to your gutters and shingles if the dam sits for an extended period. The formations can tear gutters clear off, loosen shingles, and even cause water to pour into your house over time.

The results are very undesirable and create a much bigger problem. Your paint can begin to peel, and your floors will become warped. Your ceiling can even begin to sag. Fortunately, Maryland roofing contractors can help.


Prevention and Removal

Ice dams will happen and are often unavoidable. To prevent damage, however, you have to act quickly. The longer the formation sits in an area, the more problems it will cause.

The first step is to make sure that the areas prone to dams have proper ventilation.

The next thing you can do to prevent damage to your gutters, siding, and floor is to remove the ice dam. It will keep any damage from happening and make it difficult for the formation to continue to grow.

Rather than trying to remove the dam yourself, we recommend asking a professional for help. Climbing up on an icy roof can be dangerous, so be sure to ask a trusted Maryland roofing company for help.



Call for Maryland Roofing Contractors Today

Ice dams can be very hazardous, but they don’t have to be. Be sure to act quickly when you see them forming on the side of your home. Give our roofing company MD a call to prevent problems before they arise.



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