Home

Ice Dams and Roof Damage: Does Waterflow And Drainage UpHill

Which Will Come First, the Ice Dam, gravitational forces or perhaps an Unstable Roof?

Before digging in to the concepts of ice dams, think about this strange roofing phenomenon: Water sometimes flows uphill. It begins by copying because of hard wind or hard ice. It builds up until the strength of gravity forces a general change in direction. Then your damn breaks. The effects can be a trickle that may be remedied before major structural damage builds up. However, when water submits to gravity your homes roof may leak by having an explosive impact that leads to great and pricey destruction.

Ice dams don’t really make waterflow and drainage uphill, however it the backup forces water to increase instead of flow the finish result is identical. Other roofing issues that cause water to circulate uphill include clogged drains, gutters and downspouts.

In 2006, a Metrolina construction company experienced a significant leak issue throughout the restoration from the local Albemarle Road IRS building. It began soon after a summer time gully washer dumped inches of rain across every area of Mecklenburg County. In no small amount of time, crushing tales of flash floods, structural damage and leaky roofs dominated this news.

Next morning once the construction firm came back towards the old IRS project, ceilings were receding, carpets were drenched and insulation was destroyed. Instead of mere drips, the overnight leaks ran almost continuously with no manifestation of stopping. Repairs mounted rapidly as did material needs.

Looking for the issue, work crews required towards the roof. Water was knee-deep on all of the lower sides from the flat roof building. Several roof drains were completely clogged with fallen leaves, braches along with other materials. The crew feared an entire collapse from the roof. Despite the accrued backup, water had intentionally found new methods for obeying gravitational forces.

Roofing Strategies For Reliable Protection against Ice Dams

Getting a sturdy roof is crucial by defense against snow and rain. The significance of unhampered water drainage can’t be overstressed. Learn to look at your roof for clogged drains, ice dams along with other indications of roof damage. Regular inspections can safeguard your house in the risks of rain fall, sleet and ice. Couple of things can make just as much damage as trapped roof water obeying the overwhelming law of gravity.

Although frequently utilized in office and industrial construction planning, flat roofs aren’t standard on residential homes. The majority of you’ve asphalt shingled, wood shake or metal roofs. In cold snowy weather, ice dams really are a typical problem.

Based on the College of Minnesota, the ridge of ice that builds up close to your homes roof is known as an ice dam (1). When an ice dam prevents melting show from draining off your homes roof, water temporary flows uphill meaning it increases to some greater bulk level. Because of the clog, water eventually starts to seep, leak or explode to your home. The accrued damage connected with ice dams includes:

Web attic room insulation

Possible electrical shorts

Collapsed ceiling tiles

Water stains

Destroyed sheetrock

And much more.

Steer clear of the water leaks. Avoid the uphill flow water. Don’t risk the financial losses connected with ice dams, accrued water and volatile leak damage. Correct know ice problems As soon as possible.

Even when major damage does not come, water below your roofing materials leads to lengthy-term material rot. Melting snow might not produce a “technical” ice ridge, but trash within the gutter build up with refreezing to lead to blockage and poor roof drainage. If debris will get below your roofing materials, water may end up in the room.

Stopping the harm

In case of known ice problems, act right away. Begin by washing the ice and snow off your homes roof. Make use of a roof rake or perhaps a push broom, but take care not to damage the roofing materials.

Related Articles