Melting snow can form ice dams, which can cause damage to roofs. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Ice Damming Season

As weather warms, risk of ice dams increases

Jan 11, 2022 | 4:00 PM

While the warm weather is welcomed by most, it does come with its share of complications. Melting snow and ice can make roads and sidewalks treacherous, but some of the worst effects can be on the roof of your home.

Ice damming is a risk when warm weather hits following a cold snap, melting snow and ice on top of the roof. During a freeze-thaw cycle, like the one Saskatchewan is about to go through, it becomes a lot more likely.

“Unless that melted snow is able to drain properly, it will re-freeze over time,” said SGI media relations manager Tyler McMurchy. “That creates ice dams. So, throughout the winter if this keeps going, the water will eventually work its way under your shingles and into your attic.”

Water seeping into your attic can cause problems ranging from damaging the walls and ceiling to forming mold and mildew. Since the temperature moves back and forth so much during Saskatchewan winters, there’s always a risk of ice damming on any given year.

“It does cause that freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw cycle that is prime conditions,” said McMurchy. “It can also cause condensation inside your home, which can lead to other problems as well.”

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While McMurchy doesn’t recommend clambering up onto your roof to check, there are signs that can tell you when you need to be worried about ice damming, and some of them are visible even from the ground.

“Are you seeing icicles along your eavestroughs?” McMurchy said. “A row of icicles might be really pretty but it’s also a sign that the moisture isn’t able to properly drain off your roof. Those icicles indicate that your gutters are full and the melted water has nowhere to go.”

Dark coloured icicles are an even more serious sign as, according to McMurchy, that means the water has gathered dirt from inside your house and flowed back out again only to freeze. Water stains on the ceiling are also a bad sign, and it’s worth looking to see if you have a large buildup of snow on your roof when your neighbours do not.

If you see those signs, you may have an ice dam. In order to prevent it from getting to that point, the best thing to do is make sure you get the snow off your roof.

“We are entering this week where we’re going to see melting and freezing,” said McMurchy. “You should always keep the snow load on your roof to a minimum to prevent it from causing an ice dam.”

McMurchy added an ice rake is a good purchase, or you can spend some extra money and have a professional clear your roof off to save money in the long run. He also said that not all insurance policies cover ice damming.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP