What Ice Damage Can DO

1/23/2020 (Permalink)

Ice Scenario

Why YES, it is that time of year again when we will see snow! Snow is very pretty when it is falling from the sky, not so pretty when it is causing trouble in your home. Keep your home protected from winter disasters by taking some extra time to clear the snow and ice off your roof. Not clearing the ice and snow could possible cause ice dams. Ice dams are formed when the higher end of the rooftop temperature is above 32 degrees and the edge of the roofline is below 32 degrees. Snow from the heated part of the roof melts and flows down till it reaches the part of the roof below 32 degrees causing the water to freeze and form an ice dam. The water held back from the dam will back up and stay liquid. The trapped liquid will go under shingles finding cracks and flow into the attic; from there it could possible seep through the ceiling and into the interior walls. Sometimes you may have water coming through the ceiling. Sometimes the stagnant water that collects in the attic causes mold growth.

The best way to prevent this: clean your gutters when you’re installing your outdoor Christmas lights so that winter’s rain and melting snow can drain. As you’re cleaning the gutters, look for leaks and misaligned pipes and make sure the downspouts carry water at least 10 feet away from the house’s foundation.

If you do find mold in your attic, DON’T use bleach! The first step is to call in the experts for an evaluation.

At SERVPRO of Western Lancaster County, we’re standing by to answer any questions you might have about attic mold growth or anywhere in your home.