Ice Dam Removal Columbus Ohio

Don't let Ice Dams damage your home - Trust the pros and have Ohio Exterior remove it safely and effectively

Ice dams can pose serious consequences to the structural integrity of your home. Ice dams backup water into your roof structure and can saturate your roof sheathing, structure or cause the water to run down the wall cavity spaces. This can lead to additional problems such as toxic black mold, termites, carpenter ants or dry rot.

What is an ice dam?

An ice dam is ice buildup that forms at the edge of your roof, usually around the gutters. Once it has formed on your roof, the water then backs up behind the ice dam and creates a pool of water. This pool of water can then leak into your house and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.

What causes an ice dam?

Ice dams are typically caused by heavy snowfall and improper ventilation of your attic. This results in slightly warmer areas in your attic which causes the snow to melt, even though the outside temperature may still be well below freezing. When the accumulated snow on your roof starts to melt, it runs down your roof underneath the existing snow until it reaches a much colder section (like in the gutters) and then it freezes again. This process of thawing and refreezing is what causes an ice dam.

Cleaning the gutters on your home can help prevent ice dams from forming as quickly as they normally do but they can still occur if the conditions are right. Your gutters will be just as cold as the outside temperature or they could have frozen debris. So even if you don't have a soffit for the water to refreeze in, the melted water will most likely refreeze when flowing into the gutters.

WARNING!

Performing ice dam removal is dangerous! You may risk severe personal injury and damage your roof if not done properly.

If you are using a ladder make sure you follow the proper safety procedures. Never walk on a snow covered roof.

It is definitely better to contract with professionals with the proper equipment and roofing experience to carry out this job.

When contracting with a company be sure to ask:

• If they're insured and how much experience they have.
• If they offer a guarantee.
• How much they estimate it will cost.

Call Ohio Exteriors at (614) 372-7459 at the first signs of an ice dam in order to reduce the potential damage that it may cause.