Winter weather often means the formation of ice dams on your roof, which can present numerous problems for the home, as well as pose a potential danger. For West Chester-area homeowners subject to colder weather, it is essential to avoid ice dams. Preventative measures can be taken without spending a lot of money.

Ice dams occur as the result of ice that builds up around the ridge of your roof. This prevents melting snow from draining properly, resulting in water backup that damages your roof, ceilings, walls, and insulation. If your home features an attic, ice dams may form condensation that makes an attic "wet," resulting in mold, mildew, and other damage.

Preventative steps should be taken first to avoid ice dam formation.

• Ensure that your attic is properly insulated to keep heat inside the attic, and prevent it from moving through the roof and causing ice dams. Ideally, your roof should be kept at 30 degrees or colder at all times during the winter, as snow will tend to dissipate rather than melt, the latter of which occurs when the roof is heated as the result of poor insulation or attic heating issues.
• Seal all air passageways from the home to the attic, as air leaks allow warm air circulating in the home to gain entry into the attic, further driving its temperature up. Look for gaps around attic entryways, light fixtures, ductwork, wires, and plumbing, and seal them with caulk.
• It is also a good idea to keep your attic ventilated, which ensures that cold air circulates around your attic and warm air escapes easily. 
• Remove all snow from your roof with a snow rake or other viable implement as soon as possible after a snowfall to keep snow and ice from building up on your roof. Use a ladder to remove the snow from your roof, and have someone hold the ladder as you work to avoid injury.

As with most things, preventative measures are the best way to keep ice dams from damaging your home. For help with all of your home heating and cooling needs, contact JonLe Heating & Cooling today!

Icicles image via Shutterstock.