Winter weather can present numerous obstacles to roof maintenance. With snow and freezing rain poised to sweep through the Baltimore area this week, we got some advice from our roofing professionals on steps you can take to help prevent the formation of hazardous ice dams on your roof.
Ice Dams: What They Are and How They Form
The primary concern of freezing rain is that it can create ice dams. Ice dams are ridges of ice that gathers at the edge of your roof. These dams can prevent melting snow and rain from properly draining off the roof. When moisture can’t drain correctly, it creates the potential for mold and mildew to form within your home’s attic. The weight of the ice dam can also lead to damage to your gutters if not relieved in a reasonable amount of time.
What to Do About Ice Dams
Shawn from Four Twelve Roofing’s team highlighted that it is crucial to address ice dams quickly, and a key part is to ensure proper ventilation. If your attic is not properly ventilated, it may make it easier for ice dams to form on your roof. If you’re not sure how to access the vents in your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to roofing professionals to assist you.
Another step is physically removing the accumulated ice from your gutters. This will help prevent damage to your gutters from occurring, which in the case of ice dams, can happen faster than you think. Safety is the first concern, so if you don’t feel comfortable in your ability to clear your gutters of ice, contact the roofing professionals at Four Twelve today.
Our expert team can help with all the roofing maintenance you need to address problems in your roofing system before they become serious.
