Winter water damage from ice dams, attic condensation & moreExcessive snow on the roof, condensation in the attic and ice buildup can cause roof & water damage and personal injury. Show
While stopping a water leak or repairing a washing machine hose down in the basement might be fairly straightforward, snow on the roof, ice dams and attic condensation are forms of water damage typical to cold climate homes and are a little more complicated and a little trickier to fix. Why is excessive snow on your roof a concern? What are ice dams? What causes attic condensation? And if you've had these, what can you do? Why should you worry about snow on the roof?Heavy loads of ice and snow on your roof can create serious problems. These include:
What are ice dams?When the temperature in your attic is above freezing, snow on the roof will likely melt. When the snowmelt runs down the roof and hits the colder eaves, it refreezes. If this cycle repeats over several days, the freezing snowmelt builds up and forms an ice dam, behind which water pools into large puddles, or "ponds". The ponding water can then back up under the roof covering and leak into the attic or along exterior walls. The right weather conditions for ice dams are usually when outside air temperatures are in the low 20s (°F) for several days with
several inches of snow on the roof. What causes condensation in your attic?Condensation of water vapor on cold surfaces in attics can cause wood to rot, which can lead to costly repairs. Attic condensation typically occurs when warm, moist air migrates or is directed into the attic from living spaces below. Research indicates unusually high humidity in the home's living spaces is strongly associated with attic condensation problems. Winter water damage warning signs to watch forRecognize the signs of stress when too much snow and ice has accumulated on your roof or when you have too much condensation in your attic. Here are a few things to watch for.
Condensation, snow on roof and ice dam prevention tipsBuilding codes have some requirements that attempt to prevent the problems of ice dams and attic condensation. But codes don't address all the issues, and many houses could have out of date building codes.
Removing ice and snow from your roof is a dangerous job. Avoid injury by hiring a professional to remove snow and ice
from the roof and fix the problem before it leads to property damage and expensive repairs. Here are some tips to keep in mind.
What not to doWhile it might be tempting to try a quick fix to break up that ice dam, don't get too eager; not only is it dangerous on your roof, but you can also cause a lot of damage, especially in the colder months. Here are some things to consider.
What to do
If your home suffers damage this winter, contact your State Farm® agent to see if it's covered under your homeowner's policy. Check out more winter home maintenance tips here. Is damage caused by ice dams covered?Does homeowners insurance cover ice dams? The dwelling coverage of a homeowners policy may cover the cost to repair ice dam damage. That may include repairing your roof, walls, or other damage to the structure of your home up to your coverage limits. Damaged personal property may also be covered.
How much does it cost to remove ice dams from roof?The national average cost of ice dam removal is between $600 and $1,800. Most people pay around $1,200 for three hours of labor to remove ice from a traditional two-story home with around 1,500 sq. ft.
How do I fix an ice dam leak in my roof?Permanent Fixes for Ice Dams. Ventilate Eaves And Ridge. A ridge vent paired with continuous soffit vents circulates cold air under the entire roof. ... . Cap the Hatch. ... . Exhaust to the Outside. ... . Add Insulation. ... . Install Sealed Can Lights. ... . Flash Around Chimneys. ... . Seal and Insulate Ducts. ... . Caulk Penetrations.. Is ice damming the roofers fault?True: Ice dams are not caused by faulty installation or bad roofing components. Ice dams are caused when cold air around the soffit meets warm air inside the shingles right above the soffit.
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