Ice Dams in Traverse City

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

An illustration of an ice dam.

Ice dams can be a major problem during the snowy season.  They form when heated air melts roof snow downward into water dammed behind still-frozen ice.  When the trapped water cannot safely flow or run into the gutter system, it can backflow under the roof's shingles and into the structure's interior areas.

Icicles can be an initial sign of an ice dam, according to Travelers.com.  To spot ice dams inside, "check for water stains or moisture in your attic or along the ceiling of exterior walls or your house.  Water stains or moisture may be an indication that an ice dam has formed and water has penetrated the roof membrane."

Removing an ice dam as soon as it is found is vital to helping prevent damage to your property and can be done using heated cables, a roof shovel, or calcium chloride ice melter.