703 North Court Street
P.O. Box 446
Medina, Ohio 44258
(330) 725-4543
(800) 589-8333
Fax: (330) 723-2500
info@hunterins.com
office hours: 8:30-5 M-F
Evenings & Saturdays by appointment
Archived Newsletter
Ice Dams: What are they and how to prevent them? Why think about them now?
Ice damming causes millions of dollars in property damage each year. Ice dams are a buildup of ice that forms along the edge of a roof. This buildup prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. A dam can form with as little as 1 or 2 inches of snow accumulation. The water backing up behind the dam can seep through shingles and leak into your home, causing damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.
Ice dams are created through a combination of heat loss through your home’s roof, excessive snow cover, frozen gutters and outside temperatures that lead to melting snow. There are warning signs to look for:
- Large icicles hanging from the gutters during a cold spell
- A thick blanket of snow on a down slope and then a patch of bare shingles
- Water dripping from a soffit panel which often means an ice dam has already formed
If you experience an ice dam, attempt to contain interior water. Leaking will often continue until a thaw occurs. Due to the risk of slipping and injury, do not attempt to clear ice and snow from roofs, gutters, and downspouts yourself. In the event of severe leakage, please call a professional roofer. Referrals can be found in the claims section of our website at www.hunterins.com or call our office at 330-725-4543 or 1-800-589-8333.
So why are we bringing up this “dam topic” here in the summer when we’re all more concerned about keeping up with the lawn mowing? Because for this potential problem, prevention is the best medicine. As you consider maintenance projects for these warm weather months, think about reinsulating to minimize heat loss through your roof. In addition to the likely energy savings, this will reduce the risk of ice dams. Ask your roofer about any new or improved products that prevent ice dam formation or leakage. For example, an ice guard, a 3-foot wrap installed under the lower shingles, creates a waterproof barrier. Old Man Winter is a long way off right now, thankfully, but let’s do what we can to prepare for his return!