Roofing in Edina MN | How do Ice Dams Form?
There are lots of unexpected problems that Minnesotans might see with their roofs during the winter. Buildups of snow and ice can damage the shingles, and any cracks or holes that form in the roof can allow moisture to leak inside your home, causing water damage, signs of mold, and larger structural problems. Another problem that commonly arises is ice dams forming on the eaves of the roof. Here’s how ice dams form, and how you can prevent them: roofing in Edina MN
Ice Forms on the Eaves
One of the main problems that leads to the formation of ice dams on your roof is improper ventilation in your attic. When the heat in your attic collects, it can warm up large sections of your roof. However, with improper circulation of the heat in the attic space, it may not reach the eaves of your roof. This leads to problems with snow and ice melting on the warm parts of your roof, but freezing as they get to the cold eaves. Ice accumulates along the eaves, forming a dam. Looking at your roof, you may be able to tell that an ice dam is forming along the eaves. If you do not see water draining properly from your roof on a warmer day, or you see more ice along the outside of your roof than in the middle sections, there is a chance that you need a roof repair in Edina MN. This could mean that an ice dam is forming on your roof, or that you have other problems with ventilation in your attic or drainage from the roof.
Problems it Causes
Unfortunately, ice dams can cause pretty serious problems with water damage both inside and outside your home. When water gets trapped behind the dam, it sits on the roof for longer than it should. This way, it can make its way behind the shingles on your roof and leak into the interior of your home. This can damage the shingles, leading to cracks and holes that will allow more water to leak into your home in the future. In your home, moisture leaking from your roof might lead to discoloration in your ceiling or walls, warping or bulging, or mold forming around sites of moisture. If you do not contact your roofing contractors in Edina MN to help solve the problem, it could progress into a larger issue surrounding structural internal damage in your home.
How to Prevent Ice Dams
Luckily, there are some ways in which you can prevent ice dams from forming and causing problems. Every once in a while, you should have your roof inspected by experienced roofing contractors. Especially once snow starts to fall on your roof, they will be able to tell fairly easily if there is a problem with ice forming around the eaves of your roof. They will also be able to check for issues with ventilation from your roof, ensure that air is circulating properly, and seal up any ducts or vents that could be causing problems with air flow. When you hire contractors to preventatively check out your roof, or at the first sign of any problems with ice forming on your roof or moisture leaking inside, they can help you fix problems before they start. This way, you will end up saving money in the long run when you do not need to pay for costly repairs for the structure of your house. To learn more about preventative maintenance for your roof or specifically for ice dams, contact the team at Capstone Bros Contracting today.
Roofing in Edina MN | Our Services
At Capstone Bros Contracting, we offer a full range of roofing and window services in Edina Minnesota, including (but not limited to): roofing, roof repairs, roof replacement, roof installation, siding, siding repairs, siding replacement, siding installation, storm damage services, hail damage services, wind damage services, roof damage services, siding damage services, window services, window repairs, window replacement services, and much more!