Snow on the roof surface that is above freezing will melt. As water flows through the roof, it reaches the part of the roof that is below 32° F and freezes. The dam grows as it feeds on the snow that melts on it, but will be limited to parts of the roof that average below 32° F. Ice dams form only when the space inside an attic along the bottom of the roof cover is above the freezing point. Investing in hiring a professional gutter cleaning service such as Gutter Cleaning Queens NY is so much worth it. Ice dams are not technically caused by clogged gutters, but they may certainly make the situation worse. The water that flows down your roof when snow melts and your roof heats up needs somewhere to go.
As the warm air under the roof heats the shingles and melts the snow on the roof, water flows down the roof line until it reaches the overhanging eave structure and freezes again. Ice dams usually start or worsen after a heavy snowfall due to the insulating properties of snow. The snow cover traps warm air beneath the snow, causing it to melt. Ice dams form on the underside of roofs, allowing water to penetrate and cause damage to the interior of walls and ceilings.
When snow melts on a roof, it falls downward until it reaches the unheated lower edge of a roof and then freezes. This piece of ice is called an ice dam and can cause water to accumulate under shingles and ice dams to damage walls and roof structures. Ice accumulations are caused by variations in the temperature of your roof. When the snow melts at the top, it slides to the bottom of the roof and freezes again.
The dam will form when indoor heating rises through the roof into the attic and then heats the roof surface. The snow at the top end of the roof will melt and flow down near the bottom until it reaches the part of the roof that is below 32 degrees. The water will then freeze again in an ice dam. The most common way ice builds up is when there is a loss of house heat combined with snow cover and low outside temperatures.
The snow eventually melts and, when it does, it goes down the roof and reaches the part where it is below freezing. The freezing temperature then causes the ice dam to form. Ice dams are more common in northern climates. They occur when the heavy accumulation of snow melts during the day and then freezes again when temperatures drop during the night.
If ignored, ice dams can cause serious damage to roofs, gutters, paint, insulation, and interior drywall and other surfaces. If you're the owner of a home with poor roof ventilation and a warm attic, you've probably been dealing with ice dams for a while. There have been a handful of cases of people losing their lives due to falling icicles, and ice dams are even bigger and heavier. For the uninitiated, ice dams can be a bit of a mystery, since a house can be filled with huge blocks of ice that densely cover the roof eaves, while adjacent houses only have a layer of shiny snow on the shingles without any signs of ice.
In addition to all the damage that ice dams can cause to your home, it's also incredibly dangerous to have them hanging from overhangs and gutters in your house. Over time, the dam will grow so much that, instead of the water freezing and becoming part of the dam, it will be trapped behind the dam. More importantly, ice dams can cause meltwater to build up under shingles, where it can flow down and ruin roof and wall surfaces. If you notice large icicles forming in the corners of your house or in the gutters, that's a telltale sign that ice dams are forming on the roof.
It will be more difficult to form ice dams if water is allowed to flow out of the house and down the ditch as intended. The theory is that the age of the roof was a contributing factor that the ice dam could cause damage to the interior of the house. Watch the video from This Old House that explains how to avoid ice accumulations by properly insulating and ventilating your attic. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you ensure that your home is properly insulated if you want to prevent ice accumulations or prevent them from reappearing once removed.
If you look up and see a large chunk of ice on the lower edge of your roof, your forensic work is done; you have an ice dam. The thermal cable is not attractive on a roof, but it serves to prevent ice from accumulating when properly installed. . .
