Though we are not experiencing a 250% increase in season average snowfall with atmospheric river after atmospheric river, it is still important to mind the snowpack on your roof and the reality of ice dams.
Disclaimer: Elements specializes in driveway snow removal, but we have been living and servicing Tahoe Donner since 1979 and have seen roof damage occur even on smaller years. Pleasen enjoy the following article from the University of Minnesota on Dealing with and preventing ice dams
What is an ice dam?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the roof’s edge and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.
Effects of ice dams
Moisture entering the home from ice dams can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. These can cause respiratory problems.
- Prevent the growth of mold and mildew by immediately drying out portions of the house that are wet or damp.
- Take immediate action to get rid of the water source, clean the home environment and maintain its air quality.
What causes ice dams?
Nonuniform roof surface temperatures lead to ice dams.
Heat loss from a house, snow cover and outside temperatures interact to form ice dams. For ice dams to form there must be snow on the roof and, at the same time, higher portions of the roof’s outside surface must be above 32 degrees F (freezing) while lower surfaces are below 32F. These are average temperatures over sustained periods of time. For a portion of the roof to be below freezing, outside temperatures must also be below freezing.
The snow on a roof surface that is above freezing will melt. As water flows down the roof it reaches the portion of the roof that is below 32F and freezes. This causes the ice dam.
The dam grows as it is fed by the melting snow above it, but it will limit itself to the portions of the roof that average below 32F. So the water above backs up behind the ice dam and remains a liquid. This water finds cracks and openings in the exterior roof covering and flows into the attic space. From the attic it could flow into exterior walls or through the ceiling insulation and stain the ceiling finish.
What causes different roof surface temperatures?
Since most ice dams form at the edge of the roof, there must be a heat source warming the roof elsewhere. This heat primarily comes from the house. In rare instances, increased heat from the sun may cause these temperature differences.
Short-Term Ice Dam Control
HIRE A ROOFTOP SNOW SHOVELING SERVICE
Long-Term Ice Dam Control
Weatherization contractors are professionals who can deal with the heat transfer problem that creates ice dams.
- The contractor you hire should conduct a blower door test to evaluate how airtight your ceiling is. They also may use an infrared camera to find places in the ceiling where there is excessive heat loss.
- Do not repair interior damage until ceilings and walls are dry.
- Interior repair should be done together with correcting the heat loss problem that created the ice dam or the damage will occur again.
