Roofing Month, Week 2: Ice Dams!

Week 2 of October, and we're looking at a nippy month, but we're still in decent temperatures.  But this winter, our homes are going to have a few massive hazards.  The worst and foremost amongst these is:

Ice Dams!

Now, I'm not going to sit here and argue with you about whether icicles look nice or not.  But this collection of them on the side of a house is properly called an ice dam: a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home. And we already know what water can do from this summer's posts, don't we?

This whole awful mess gets started when your roof is above freezing at the top (where the runoff begins), and below freezing by the time the water hits the edge (where the dam forms).  There are a few solutions to this damaging and dangerous condition for your home.

The first thing you should do is contact your local roofing contractor.  Your roof needs maintenance, and beyond that, contractors have insurances, safety equipment, knowledge, and time that you might not. The simplest fix the contractors have is to take a roof rake and push broom and simply clear the snow off the roof to prevent formation of the dam.  Otherwise, the insulation in your roof could be faulty and need repair.  And there is one natural, permanent solution.

Attic vents and fans help to keep the temperature in your attic even, which in turn keeps your roof temperature even, which prevents ice dams before they can even form.

So, if you're in Westchester or Orange Counties in New York, or anywhere in New Jersey call Dream Team Construction today at our toll-free number, (888)382-2001!  Let's keep your home safe before you have to worry!