Leaks And Ice Damming
Ice dams can cause your roof to cave in and leak, damaging your home. But it’s a simple problem to fix with an ice & water shield from Gutter Medics. We can protect your home from ice dams and most other gutter problems with our great service and skilled local technicians. Call us at (630) 922-3131 for a free estimate and let us prevent leaks and ice damming on your roof this winter.
6 Tips To Protect Your Roof Safe From Leaks And Ice Damming This Winter
Winter is coming, so it’s time to prepare your home for the cold weather. One of the most important things you can do is protect your house from ice dams and roof leaks in heavy rain. Here are some tips on what you can do to prevent this winter damage.
1. Know When You Need Help From A Professional
When you want to know what to do when roof leaks, asking a roofer is always a good idea. They can look at your house and tell you if your roof needs to be fixed or replaced. They will advise you to take care of your roof before winter starts.
2. Check Your Gutters And Downspouts
In winter, it’s important to ensure that snow and ice don’t get stuck in your gutters. If they do, water can come back onto your roof and cause leaks. You should brush out your gutters twice a year. If you have a lot of trees around your home, you should do it more often.
3. Seal Any Cracks Or Gaps
The shingles on your roof for cracks or gaps that allow water or moisture inside. If you find Inspect any, use caulk or sealant to fill them in. This will help keep rain, snow, and melted water from getting into your house at the top of the roof.
4. Lay Down Ice Barriers
If your roof has valleys where snow collects, put down an ice barrier before winter comes. The ice barrier will help melt any snow that has piled up and keep water from freezing in places that are hard to reach. This can make it less likely that your roof will leak this winter because of water that has built up under ice and snow.
5. Install Snow Guards
Snow guards help keep snow and ice from sliding off your roof. This can help prevent damage to your home’s edges or gutters. Snow guards usually attach to the roof with adhesive or screws. This is especially important if your roof has a steep slope, as the danger of an avalanche is much higher.
6. Stay Safe
When doing roof work during the winter, it is important to keep safety in mind. You should wear the proper safety equipment. Be careful when you are climbing on the roof. If there is snow or ice, be very careful. It is also a good idea to leave extensive repairs to professionals. They know how to do it safely.
It is important to keep your home safe during the winter. This way, you can stop leaks in roofs.There are some things you can do to make sure you are prepared for whatever winter throws your way. Make sure you take care of your home throughout the year. This will help to avoid any bigger problems in the future. Stay vigilant about inspecting and caring for your roof all year!
Common Causes Of Roof Leaks And Ice Damming
You need a good roof to keep your house safe, warm, and dry. A good roof is important because it keeps rain from getting in. It also protects your home from water damage. You can save your house by keeping the roof in good condition.
Faulty Gutters
Gutters can get loose over time, letting the water run down the sides of your house. This is especially true if you live where it rains a lot or the winds are strong. If your gutters are old or broken, they might not be able to handle a heavy rain or strong winds as well as they used to. Please let us know if your gutters are loose or broken. Get in touch with a professional as soon as possible so they can fix them before they get damaged by water.
Weather Conditions
Extreme weather is one of the most common causes of roof leaks & ice dams. If it rains too much on your roof and then freezes, you might get water on your floor. If you live in an area with lots of snow, you can get a lot of water on your bed. To avoid this, you can ensure your roof is dry by having other people check it when it rains.
Poor Insulation
With insulation, cold air can’t get in through the windows and walls. But if it is too thin or not put together well, it won’t work right. During the winter, if you see ice building up on your windows, this could mean that your house doesn’t have enough insulation.
Improper Ventilation
Most roof leaks happen because of poor ventilation. It occurs when there isn’t enough airflow or when debris blocks the vents. This can cause water to build up on the bottom of your roof. This will cause mold and mildew to grow in the long run. Living in a cold area could cause ice dams and cause your shingles to wear out faster than they should.
Poorly Installed Roofs
When you put a new roof on your house, you want it to be better than the old one. You don’t want to leak or create ice dams. One way to ensure that all the flashing is suitable is to fix it if it isn’t before the snow stops you.
These are some of the most common reasons why roofs leak and what you can do to keep yours from doing so. By checking your roof often and replacing any damaged shingles, tiles, or flashing right away, you can stop water damage and save money on repairs in the future.
How To Choose The Right Roofing Company For Your Home
Choosing the right roofing company for your home can be a daunting task. When picking a roofer, you should ensure they have high-quality materials and work well. To help you choose, here is a guide on how to find the best roofing company for your needs.
Research Roofers In Your Area
Start by researching the roofers in your area. Ask people who had used the company before what they thought of it. Check to see if the company has a good name and works well. People can complain if they don’t like how someone treats them. Your state’s licensing board and the Better Business Bureau will look into it.
Check The Warranty
When you look at the warranty, ask about the material. Some companies give lifetime guarantees on their products, while others give guarantees for 3–5 years. Find out if they will pay for any repairs or replacements that need to be done during that time.
See if they are insured or have bonded. Ask how long they’ve been in business and what people in the area think of them.
Get Multiple Quotes
Next, you should get estimates from each of the companies. Ask about the materials they use and if they last a long time. Find out if any of them have been around for a long time. People should also ask about prices so they can get the cheapest one.
Check References
Before you decide on a roofing company, be sure to check their references. This will help you see if their customers were satisfied with the job they did. You should also ask each contractor if they are licensed and insured.
Cleaning your gutters and checking your roof can help you avoid expensive roof repairs or a problem with ice dams in the winter. You can avoid these problems altogether if you take some precautions now. If that sounds like a good way to spend your time, you should hire Gutter Medics.
We have a fast and friendly gutter installation service that can prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. Our team is trained and experienced in repairing leaks, holes, cracks, and overflowing gutters. Call (630) 922-3131 for a free quote, and let us fix your gutters immediately and stop late-night leaks!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Metal roofing is a superior choice for cold-weather, high-snow-volume environments if you’re considering installing a new roof and are concerned about ice dams. Metal roofs shed snow effortlessly and significantly reduce the number of ice dams around your roof.
Drip edge flashing aids in the prevention of ice dams. They safeguard your basement: When drip edges direct water away from your roof, they also direct it away from the area of ground directly beneath your roof, which frequently leads to your basement.
Roofing professionals typically install ice & water protector on eaves, rake edges, overhangs, and valleys, which are the most vulnerable to ice dams & wind-driven rain. In addition, in some jurisdictions, this may be a building code requirement.
Don’t be concerned if an ice dam damages your roof. Ice dam damage is commonly covered by homeowners insurance. The standard homeowner’s policy from American Family covers sudden and accidental damage from leaking roofs and damage from the weight of ice, snow, or sleet.
Depending on snow density, your slanted roof may safely support up to 2-4 feet of snow accumulation. The most common reason homeowners rake their roof is to prevent (or lessen the impact of) ice dams.
Although the building code requires the ice and water shield to overlap the drip edge, some drip edge manufacturers recommend installing the drip edge over the ice and water shield. This reversal provides better protection in the event of an ice dam.
A cubic foot of ice weighs about 60 pounds. If enough accumulates on your gutter guards, they may collapse into the gutter system. When this happens, the fallen gutter protection causes a blockage, leading to ice dams and costly home damage.
However, if you live in an area with high winds, you can cover your entire roof with an ice and water shield, which may help prevent leaks. However, if you do this, ensure a ventilation system in your attic to prevent condensation.
It should be installed behind the gutter and over the fascia board, filling the gap between it and the first roof board. When properly installed, the ice and water shield will extend up the roof from the fascia board to at least 2″ past the exterior wall.