Icicles adorning the eaves of your home are a beautiful and picturesque winter scene, especially in Minnesota. Even though they look pretty, icicles are a sign of a larger underlying problem: ice dams. Ice dams are formed when heat escapes through your roof. Not only can this lead to larger heating bills but ice dams can cause serious structural damage to your home that can cost upwards of thousands of dollars.Ice dams occur when key areas of your home's roof space are under insulated/underventilated. Warm air escapes through the roof to melt snow. As the melted snow travels down the roof to the colder areas around the eaves, it refreezes, creating both an ice dam and icicles that trap any melted water underneath. This cycle continues all winter long."This freeze-thaw cycles cause ice to buildup on the exterior of the roof while expanding its way up underneath the roof's protective barrier. The ice that has made its way under the shingles melts and makes its way into the home," says Bruce Ryan, President of Ryan Windows & Siding. This can cause mold and mildew.So how can you prevent ice dams from occurring? "You can mitigate heat loss and ice dams with proper insulation and ventilation," says Ryan. "You can proactively lower or even eliminate the damaging effects of ice dams with insulation by reducing heat loss and keeping the attic temperature as close as possible to the exterior temperature."If your home suffers ill effects from ice dams, it is best to hire a reputable, licensed and insured contractor for an inspection. "It is important to hire an expert to identify any underlying effects from the ice dam and repair any damage," shares Ryan. Ryan Windows & Siding offers free inspections and estimates so you can better understand the problem and possible solutions.This winter, don't be fooled by sparkling icicles. Heed their warning and have your roof and attic inspected to prevent damage caused by ice dams.
