As the cold temperature roll on and the snow keeps falling, it’s pretty safe to say that winter is not letting up anytime soon. As your roof continues to take a beating from the weather, it’s important to make sure that ice isn’t burrowing itself underneath your shingles and putting your home at risk of major damage. To protect your home, make sure you know how to spot ice dams that could be forming.
What is an Ice Dam?
An ice dam is a block of snow and ice that forms (typically) on the edge of your roof when improper snow removal prevents snow from melting away and allows it to harden.
Why are Ice Dams Dangerous?
Besides the more obvious danger of it falling and hurting someone, ice dams can also cause water damage to your roof and weigh down your gutters and fascia.
How to Spot Ice Dams
Check Your Icicles
As the snow melts off your home, it’s not uncommon for icicles to form, and while they may look pretty, they can also be the first sign of a forming ice dam. If the icicles are only on the gutters without any water trapped behind them, you shouldn’t have to worry about ice dams. However, icicles can still be dangerous if they fall, so it’s best to remove them when you safely have the chance to.
Check for Moisture Stains
Take a good look at your attic ceilings and the exterior waters fo your home. If you find dark water marks, you may have an ice dam on that area of your roof whose moisture has penetrated your roof’s membrane.
At Keystone Gutter Helmet, we care about protecting you and your home from winter weather. That’s why we provide gutter helmet protection systems to help keep your gutters clean and free from standing water and ice dams. For more information or to schedule a service, call us at 610-372-4383.
