The Importance of Ice Dam & Snow Removal

There are several unpleasant features of winter and the New England region doesn’t usually escape them. Ice dams are just one of those elements that New England homeowners must contend with during the cold season. It’s a good idea to know how to tackle ice dams and ways to prevent them in order to save you time out of the cold and money you’d rather keep in your wallet. Accumulated snow on your roof can lead to the development of ice dam and its removal is best done by a professional snow remover. Ice dams can cause significant water damage to your interior ceilings and walls. Emergency ice dam and snow removal are crucial to ensure safety and to minimize property damage. 

Snow and Ice Buildup Can Cause a Roof to Collapse 

Heavy loads of snow accumulated on your roof can cause it to collapse as the weight of the snow exerts pressure on the roof. Remember that your roof has a carrying capacity and if the weight of the snow exceeds the allowable weight, your roof is more likely to be susceptible to collapsing. If you experience a major winter storm that drops heavy, wet snow on your roof, this is the ideal scenario for your roof collapse. That’s if you neglect to do anything about the accumulated snow.

Ice Dams Can Lead to Leaks and Seep into Your Home, Causing Damages.

When an ice dam forms at the edge of a roof, it impedes melting snow from effectively draining off the roof. Water backed up behind the ice dam has the potential to leak into your home and can damage your ceilings, walls, attics, ceilings, and insulation. The seeped in moisture from the dam can result in mildew and mold growth, which can have serious health impact on you and your family. This can include a flare-up of allergies or worsening allergic symptoms, or respiratory issues. You should dry out wet or moist sections of your home that are affected by the water dam immediately. If you don’t want your home to be severely damaged or your gutter system completely destroyed by an ice dam, remove it without hesitation.

Ice Dams Can be Dangerous to a Home’s Inhabitants

Heavy snow sitting on your roof is not to be taken likely. It’s not only your home that’s at risk, but those within it walls, including residents and pets. Since accumulated snow can weigh down your roof and cause it to collapse, the risk of injury to the home’s inhabitants is a real issue of concern. Furthermore, since moisture can lead to the development of mold, if anyone living in the home is allergic to mold spores, they could develop a severe allergic reaction. An ice dam is a risk to the health of you and your family, and at worse, your lives.

Ice Dam and Snow Build-up is Notorious in the State of Massachusetts

Massachusetts is known to have tough winters where heavy snow and ice dams are no surprises, but serious unwanted problems. Residents can typically expect to see ice dams following a heavy snowfall, then freezing and thawing on the roof’s surface. It’s important for Massachusetts residents to know about ice dams, how they are formed, and what to do about them.

Ice Dam & Snow Removal in the Boston, MA area: Burke Roofs

Burke Roofs is one of the most trusted ice dam and snow removal teams in The New England region. We are here to help you to have the most comfortable winter experience by keeping ice dams at bay. If you have an emergency Ice dam situation this winter, contact us immediately.