(Photo : How Ice Dams Can Damage Your Home's Roof)

If there's one thing that kids look forward to in the winter, but adults don't, it's snow! Pretty it may be, and a lot of fun too, but snow is just problem after problem for homeowners. We have to clear it from our paths and drives so that we can get the car out and prevent injury to those visiting or living in the house, and we need to keep an eye on what's happening with snow on the roof. One of the biggest and most dangerous problems is the possibility of ice dams forming. What are ice dams? Let's explain this phenomenon in more detail and look at why they become dangerous.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a phenomenon that occurs in winter when snow falls on a sloped roof. It is usually associated with areas where heavy snowfall occurs in a short time. Let's say a few inches of snow falls overnight. Snow is heavy stuff - that in itself can damage your roof - and becomes impacted as it freezes.

Now, a few inches of snow on the roof may not seem like a lot, but as long as the temperature outside is at or below freezing that snow is not going anywhere. Apart, that is, from the snow that is at the bottom of the pile! How can this be? It may be freezing outside but inside the house it's cozy and warm, and that's because you have your central heating on. 

We all know that heat rises, so what happens to the snow in contact with the roof that is warmed from within? It begins to melt, and that's when you might need to call out the ice dam repair specialists once it's all over. The melted snow flows down the roof and when it reaches the eaves it is exposed to the freezing cold and freezes again. The result is a dangerous block of solid ice that prevents any other melted snow from flowing to the gutters when the temperature is slightly warmer.

Ice Dam Damage

As this water cannot go anywhere, it pools on the roof. This causes it to seep in through the tiles, and cause damp. Also, it can damage gutters and other fixtures on the roof and around it, and the result can be expensive repairs needed very quickly. It's for this reason that you need to prevent an ice dam from developing, but how do you do it?

You can buy extendable snow rakes that are designed to remove the snow from the roof. It's not the easiest job but for people in areas where ice dams are a likelihood it is an essential one if you wish to avoid that expensive damage. The snow will freeze into compacted ice if left alone, so you need to remove it as quickly as possible. If you're not confident of doing this yourself there will be local service providers who can remove snow from roofs quickly and efficiently, so it may worth contacting them and getting them out if you have a high snow fall overnight. 

This is just another example of how snow looks harmless enough, and it is great fun to play in for the kids but is a winter nuisance that we could all do without. If you want to keep an eye on the weather in the USA in your location that is a handy resource to have available, and you can plan ahead to when the snow storms are due and make sure you have a snow rake ready.