Ice Dams and Snow, How to Protect Your Home

The havoc caused by snow and ice during the winters, creating ice dams that cause a lot of problems to your house is something that you cannot ignore. When snow builds up on the roof, the heat from within the house melts the snow from the bottom and it comes down in your house, causing a lot of problems. The water can seep through the cracks and crevices, and come inside your house. Also the roof becomes filled with water, which expands when it freezes again; and gaps start to occur in the ceilings and walls. Due to these gaps, the roof can leak big time, causing the water to rush in to your house. We are talking repairs of the house that can go into thousands of dollars and even more. The structure of the house can be impacted and if your home gives into the pressure, it may collapse also. If there is a danger of ice dams to your home, it is important to get in touch with your insurance company. Also find out a good contractor who can fix the problem, the information of which can be given to your insurance company and you can get compensation.

Prevention however is better than cure and it is better to prevent your home from being damaged by snow or ice. Here are some steps that you can adhere to:

1. Clear the roof off any trace of snow- A homeowner should make this a priority; this can ensure that you are free from snow damage. Ice that is left to accumulate can cause the roof to collapse, damage the floors, walls, ceilings, furniture and appliances in the home. So, it is better to get in touch with a professional roofing consultant who can clear the roof off the snow and also reinforce it better.
2. Increase ventilation in the attic: It is important to have the temperature indoor close to the outdoor temperature. This means proper ventilation is important, otherwise the warm air inside can thaw the snow on the roof and cause ice dams.
3. Keep the drains and gutters clean= Make sure that you keep the gutters and drains clean. A proper systematic way in which you can drain the melted snow from the roof is important to prevent snow damage and ice dams. Do not allow the snow to collect in the gutters, because they can move through the roofing material and cause damage to the interiors of the house.
4. You should also remove snow and ice from doors and windows, do not let them collect at the entrance. If the water comes into the house, fix the sealants.
5. The pipes should not be allowed to be frozen. You can do this by letting the hot and cold faucets drip during the night
6. Make sure that snow, ice and other debris do not cover or fall on the air vents, exhaust pipes etc. Also, remove the tree branches that are covered with snow and close to your home.