{"id":18586,"date":"2021-03-09T12:04:42","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T12:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/?p=18586"},"modified":"2021-03-09T12:04:42","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T12:04:42","slug":"how-to-prevent-ice-dams-as-snow-melts-refreezes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/how-to-prevent-ice-dams-as-snow-melts-refreezes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Ice Dams as Snow Melts, Refreezes"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

As more of the country breathes a sigh of relief as temperatures rise and the countdown to spring shortens, there\u2019s a weather-related concern that remains. Melting snow followed by a cold snap\u2014which is on the way for many parts of the country in the coming week\u2014may cause ice dams to develop and bring a cascade of water into homes. Even if your house hasn\u2019t faced this problem this year or in prior years, it\u2019s still wise to think ahead to avoid the potential mess and repair costs, which can be significant.<\/p>\n

Design, building, and remodeling experts at Orren Pickell Building Group in the Chicago area report that the company has been contacted by a number of homeowners who faced the challenge this year due to heavy snowfall and unusually cold temperatures followed by warm days.<\/p>\n

How Ice Dams Form<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we experience a polar vortex, where there\u2019s a combination of heavy snow and then a dramatic decrease in temperature, it\u2019s a situation that can create the perfect ice dam situation,\u201d says Eric Pickell, head of sales and marketing. \u201cThat happened this year because of the amount of snow from several large storms and sustained cold, followed by a warming cycle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ice dams build up this way. As heat rises from the house into an attic, it melts the snow on the roof, which drips into the cold gutters and, when cold enough, forms a block of ice\u2014the ice dam. \u201cAs the dam enlarges, it may trap water behind it that gets pushed back under the shingles and into the attic as it melts, or into the house if there\u2019s no attic,\u201d Pickell says. Having a lower-pitched roof and poor insulation may exacerbate the problem.<\/p>\n

What You Can Do<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are several steps homeowners can take to avoid ice dams. Advise them to consider these possibilities:<\/p>\n