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Don’t let them damn ice dams ruin your Maryland home’s interior

By Kim Cox:

Every winter I preach to you about the danger and water damage caused by ice dams.

And since I think it’s that important, here are some quick, but very important, points for you to keep in mind this winter…

Here’s the low down about ice dams and the damage they cause…

  • Ice dams create large, heavy, and dangerous icicles that hang from your roof and gutters, creating a dangerous area beneath them
  • This happens when snow on your roof melts, runs underneath the snow, and freezes at the edge because the eaves are much colder than the rest of the roof
    Ice Dams
    These dangerous ice dams can cause serious and costly water damage!
  • As the melted snow freezes, it creates a frozen dam on the edge of the roof… And when more melted snow runs down, water goes backs up the roof and gets under the shingles
  • As more melting happens, water starts leaking inside your house, through your ceilings and down your walls causing extensive damage and expensive repairs. (And believe me, it’s not a good feeling when you hear water dripping down your walls and causing your ceiling to fall down)
  • Improper roof and attic ventilation and insulation are the two most common causes
  • To reduce the chance of getting ice dams, use a roof rake or shovel to clear snow from the bottom couple feet of the roof. Think safety, and hire professionals if need be. (It can be physically demanding and dangerous)
  • Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear from debris
  • If you have ice dams… For goodness sake, don’t use axes, hammers, or chisels, to chop the ice. It’s dangerous and you’ll end up causing more damage to your roof
  • Fill up a sock or pantyhose with calcium chloride or salt, and throw it up onto the ice dam vertically to create a channel for the melting water to run off the roof instead of into your home
  • You can prevent most ice dams from forming in the future if your attic and roof is insulated and ventilated correctly
  • Hire a licensed, professional Maryland roofing company perform a thorough, detailed analysis of your attic ventilation and insulation

Also, if you have any questions, or need help with snow removal, or get one of those pesky ice dams, call us at 301-368-3551.

We’re here to help you, or refer you to someone who can, if necessary.

Just think… no more worrying about water running down your walls…

Whether your home is in Frederick, or Silver Spring, over to Columbia, Maryland, or any community in between, we can help!

To get your free, no-obligation attic and roof ventilation analysis,
or to simply ask a question, call Kim at 301-368-3551

On Top Home Improvements, Inc.
10818 Avonlea Ridge Place
Damascus, MD 20872
Tel: 301-368-3551
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