Have you ever heard of roof ice dams in Michigan? If the answer is no, then you definitely need to read this guide. If you have heard of ice dams but don’t know what they are or how you should handle them, you also need to read this guide. In this guide, I will explain what a roof ice dam in Michigan is, what type of damage a roof ice dam can do, and what you need to do if you are experiencing roof ice dams. To learn more about this problem and how to handle it, continue reading this guide below.
Guide to Roof Ice Dams in Michigan
What are Roof Ice Dams in Michigan
A roof ice dam is basically a ridge of ice that will form at the edge of your roof. This ridge of ice will prevent any melting snow from draining off of your roof. This is very dangerous because any water that backs up due to the ice dam can leak into your home. This will cause damage to your home because the leaks will damage the ceilings, walls, and floors. It can also cause damage to your insulation.
How to Prevent Roof Ice Dams in Michigan
The best way to stop the encounter of ice dams on your roof is by preventing them. There are some things you can do to prevent them, but sometimes it just happens. Try these steps to help prevent roof ice dams on your Michigan roof.
Have your attic insulated well. You also need to make sure there is sufficient ventilation in your attic. You will need to make sure your gutters and downspouts are free of debris and ice. When possible, use a roof rake to rake the snow off of your roof. It is best to call a professional roofer in Michigan to take care of this for you. It can be very dangerous climbing on a roof that is covered in snow and ice.
What Type of Damage Can Roof Ice Dams Cause
Once you have a roof ice dam, you can see all types of damage to your roof and your home. One of the most common problems you will encounter with ice dams are leaks. When the water backs up on your roof, you will often experience leaks that can damage your walls, ceilings and floors in your home. You may also encounter a caved in roof. If the weight on the roof is too heavy and your roof is weak, the roof may cave in which could lead to even more damage. Once the roof starts leaking, you are also going to run into problems with the insulation in your ceiling. The insulation will become wet from the leaks and if it’s not taken care of, you could have mold and mildew build up in your attic.
What to Do if I Have a Roof Ice Dam in Michigan
If you have a roof ice dam in Michigan, the best thing you can do is call a professional. Climbing the ladder to get on your roof is very dangerous with all the ice and snow we have in Michigan. In a blink of an eye, you could slip on the ladder and injure yourself very badly. So, you definitely need to call a roofing company in Michigan to come out and take care of the situation for you. There are many great roofing contractors in Michigan that are well equipped to handle this situation for you. They have all of the tools, chemicals, knowledge and experience needed to remove the ice dam and to do it safely.
With the type of weather we experience in Michigan during the winter, sometimes ice dams can’t be avoided, even if you do all the things mentioned in this article to prevent it. However, as time as you notice the ice dam on your roof, call your local roofing company. Most roofing companies will come out within a couple of hours because they know how dire the situation is. The quicker you get the situation taken care of, the better off you will be.
For more information and tips on roofs, please visit our main blog at MichiganRoofPros.com. We offer a ton of information, resources and tips to help you with new roofs, residential roofs, commercial roofs, and other types of roof related topics. We are here to look out for all of you in the state of Michigan!
