Ice dams usually occur after a heavy snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures. Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and will warm the underside of the roof causing snow and ice on the roof to melt. The melted water will drain along the roof, under the snow, until it reaches the cold overhang. The overhang tends to be at the same temperature as the outdoors and the melted water will refreeze and form an ice dam and icicles. The ice dam can cause damage to the roof, which will result in water leaks to the inside. Frequently the result will be a water spot on the ceiling under the roof damage.
As winter advances through cycles of freezing and thawing, buildings and homes experience ice buildup and roof damage.Ice dams are formed when attic heat moves up to warm the roof and melts snow at or near the ridge. Snow melts, runs downward and hits the edge of the cold roof, resulting in re-freezing snow. Damage appears in the form of soaked insulation, stained, cracked and damaged sheet rock, damp, smelly, rotting wall cavities and stained, blistered and peeling paint.
HOW TO PREVENT: dont heat the roof, keep it cold. The snow on the roof eventually dissipates without making large amounts of meltwater. The underside of the roof deck should not exceed 30 F. To maintain low temperatures ensure that there is adequate insulation and sealing gaps that let warm air pass into the attic from the house. The attic must also be ventilated, so that cold air is introduced and heated air escapes rapidly
If you find that your home has an Ice dam and there are water damages in your home, contact Extreme Supplies of MI for all of your clean up needs needs.