While it gets quite cold in Snohomish, this winter definitely appears to be quite mild in comparison to some of the cold spells in previous years. Nevertheless, it can still get cold enough to cause the formation of ice dams. Due to the potential damage ice can inflict on a rooftop, it’s recommended that you have a roofer inspect this part of your home to ensure it’s not susceptible to ice accumulation.

How Ice Dams Occur & the Roof Damage that Ensues

Ice dams form when the heat from the home melts the ice or snow resting on the roof. This causes the water to trickle onto the roof edges and overhang where it refreezes.

Why is this bad? Gutters are especially vulnerable to ice dams, and the weight of the ice can cause the unit to bend, warp, or rip away from your home. It can also cause a leaky roof, which soaks the insulation and drastically reduces its ability to keep your home efficiently warm.

Furthermore, ice dams can also cause water to seep into the walls, causing moisture to become trapped between the interior vapor barrier and exterior plywood sheathing. This creates mildew and mold growth, not to mention that the water can corrode metal fasteners. The moisture penetration in the walls can also cause paint to peel, though this usually doesn’t manifest until months later, so you never suspect it to have been caused by an ice dam.

Let Us Be a Part of the Solution

Contact Allied Construction if your home is no stranger to occasional ice and snow. Aside from decks and fences, metal roofing is our specialty. Metal roofing is generally more resistant to ice dams provided that a water and ice shield type of membrane is also installed around the bottom edge of the roof. Let us renovate your roof so it’s protected against the potential costly damages of ice dams.

Protect Against Ice Dams With Metal Roofing

Quality roofing, decking and fencing services in Bellevue, Bothell,
Kenmore, Kirkland, Lynnwood, Sammamish, Snohomish & Woodinville

Edited by Justin Vorhees