Restoring Damage Caused by Ice Dam Winter to your home or Business (Including Water, Mold, and Repairs). Give your local experts at CRBR Property Damage Services a Call!

Call now to schedule a appointment!

What is an ice dam?

An ice dam is a ridge of ice forming on a roof when melted snow refreezes. They occur when heavy snow buildup melts during the day and then refreezes when temperatures drop overnight. This buildup of ice blocks melting water from draining correctly and can cause roof damage and leak. Don’t let an ice dam put your roof – and your home – at risk.

What causes ice dams?

• Clogged Gutters: Clogged gutters can trap water inside instead of letting it flow; once the water is trapped inside and freezes, an ice dam will occur.
• Insufficient insulation: If your insulation does not have the required R-value, heat can escape to the roof and create a thaw-freeze cycle, building ice dams.
• Ventilation: Homes with poor ventilation can cut off the airflow and form heat pockets on the roof, causing ice to melt and refreeze, resulting in an ice dam.

What are the signs of an ice dam?

• Icicles: Icicles often indicate an issue, such as ice dams, forming when gutters become blocked. When the melting water cannot escape, it will find the first place it can – usually your roof. Icicles that are a different color may also emerge from your attic, so just because gutters are empty doesn’tdoesn’t necessarily mean everything is okay.
• Melted Snow: The melting patterns on top of your roof can tell you something about the condition of your roof. If you see big mounds of ice near the edge of your roof, there is water on it, and it may be time to call a professional.
• Poor Drainage: Ice dams can prevent your gutters from draining, so if you see water backing up on your roof, don’tdon’t give it a chance to refreeze. The sooner you call a contractor, the more damage you can prevent.
• Hot Spots: When warmth escapes your home, it can cause patches of bare roofing on colder days. These patches are most common around windows and vents.
• Water Stains: Your home is not built to last withstanding long-term water exposure, so when water stains appear on your ceilings or walls, this is a sign that ice dams have progressed to a point where they are damaging your home. You need to call a professional to take care of the situation.

What damage can an ice dam cause?

If left untreated, ice dams can cause vast and permanent issues for your house. The weight of these icicles has been known to tear canals from rooftops and cause harm to the shingles on your home, even caving in roofs and awnings. But the damage doesn’t stop there. Harmed drywall and mortar, water-stained ceilings and peeling paint, ruined shingles, and gutters ripped off are the result of ice dam harm.

How to prevent an ice dam:

Thoroughly clean all leaves, sticks, and other debris from rain gutters and downspouts to allow melting roof snow to flow down the spouts. Keep gutters and downspouts clear of snow and icicles.

Keep snow on your roof to a minimum. Keeping heavy snow off your roof decreases the chances of ice dam formation and roof failure due to the weight. Long-handled devices called “roof rakes” let you stand on the ground and pull the snow off the top.

Check the insulation and ventilation in your attic. Good airflow from under the eaves or soffit area along the underside of the roof and out through the roof vents is essential.
How to repair ice dam damage:

Firstly, get into the attic and look for water stains or mold. Call a professional for further examination if you see a possible problem. They’ve seen it all and know where to look. They will also have the expertise required to make the fix.

Do not attempt to remove ice dams from the roof yourself; this is dangerous and can cause much more severe damage to your roof and home.

Call CRBR Property Damage Services, your local restoration experts, at (775) 398-7062 for all your restoration needs.

If you need Water Damage Extraction, Mold Remediation, or Repairs caused by Ice Dam in the following areas, please get in touch with us at (775) 398-7062

– Incline Village
– kings beach
– Crystal Bay
– Truckee
– Carmelian Bay
– Ridgeway
– Dollar Point
– Tahoe City
– Tahoe Pines
– Homewood
– Tahoma
– Meeks Bay
– Spring Creek
– South Lake Tahoe
– Stateline
– Kingsbury
– Zephyr Cove
– Lakeridge
– Glenbrook