What is Ice Damming?  – An ice dam can form on almost any roof after a substantial snowfall. The interior heat of a structure causes snowmelt: the melted snow accumulates and later freezes to form an ice dam – acting like a miniature glacier along the eaves.

As the ice dam grows larger, it forms a barrier which prevents water from draining. As more snow melts, water flows down the pitch of the roof and backs up behind the ice dam, gradually forcing its way under the shingles and through the roof deck into the structure.

The effects can range from stained walls and ceilings to severe water damage in multiple rooms. During a single winter, ice dams can easily cost thousands of dollars in a family home, condominium, apartment building or commercial structure, and unless the leakage problem is corrected, the damage will happen again and again.

Some common attic bypasses are:

-           Vent stack (the upper portion of the plumbing waste pipe through which gases and odors escape).

-          Attic entry (hatch doors, pull-down stairs or stairways).

-          Chaseways (where chimneys, garbage chutes, etc., go between floors and attic).

-          Heating ducts (where ducts go through the attic).

-          Shared walls between apartments.

-          Places where electrical wires, electrical boxes and fan housings penetrate into the attic.

-          Improperly vented bathroom fans and/or kitchen range hood fans (vented into the attic rather than outside).

 Ice dams should only be removed to prevent damage to the property. If your roof is not leaking or in danger of collapsing, then the dam need not be removed. Palmer Brothers has experience in the removal of ice dams and although experienced and careful, damage to the roof and/or gutters may occur during the process.

 PREPARE by having Palmer Brothers inspect and repair your roof, flashing, gutters and downspouts prior to winter.  Have Palmer Brothers clean out the gutters and flush the downspouts to insure proper drainage and if the size of the gutter is the problem we can replace them with new seamless appropriate sized gutters.  Contact done of our Business Development professionals today.

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