Protect From Ice Damage On Your Home

Article Presented By Accurate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing…

(Columbus) – As temperatures return to seasonal levels, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance encourages homeowners to take steps to protect their property. Fluctuating temperatures can lead to significant problems for homeowners if proper precautions aren’t taken. With Ohio experiencing a slight warm-up, there’s no better time for Ohioans to take action than right now.

As temperatures rise and fall during the winter months, snow and ice can melt and refreeze near the edges of rooftops, resulting in an ice dam. If unaddressed, these ice dams can prevent proper drainage from occurring and lead to roof damage and water leaking inside the home. If gone unnoticed over a long period of time, ice dams can cause significant damage to a structure.  

“Ice dams can be a major problem for homeowners, but there are things they can do to help prevent them,” said Ohio Board of Building Standards Executive Secretary Regina Hanshaw. “Some of the simple things homeowners can do to avoid problems include adding insulation, installing roof vents and closing air leaks around any spots where lights, pipes or other fixtures penetrate the ceiling. It is much easier to take these steps now when temperatures are mild than when they’re below freezing.”

Homeowners can also reduce the chances of an ice dam forming by keeping gutters and downspouts clean and clear of debris and ice, and by making an effort to keep snow on their roof at a minimum. It is also recommended that homeowners install a waterproof barrier under the shingles at the roof’s edge, and they should scan their roofs for damage, such as loose or missing shingles, so a professional can be hired to make needed repairs. 

The Board of Building Standards (BBS), which is within DIC, offers the following tips for preventing water damage caused by ice dams: 

• Ensure adequate ventilation: Every roof needs to be vented at both eaves and at the peak – either in the roof itself or via vents in the end walls of a home. Air space above the insulation in the ceiling or attic then allows the cold air to move freely, keeping the roof cold and preventing the snow cover from melting. 
• Seal off the house: Proper insulation of an attic’s rafters or ceiling joists is another key part of the solution, as well as a tight vapor barrier to prevent moisture from passing from the living areas into the insulation. 
• Install a snow and ice shield: When installed on top of a home’s sub-roof and beneath shingles covering the overhang of the roof, snow and ice shields can go a long way in preventing water from working its way into a home.

Home-energy auditors or weatherization contractors can also identify and fix air leaks and inadequate insulation in a home’s attic, which is a common contributor to the formation of ice dams.