Avoid Roofing Problems by Dealing with Ice Dams

The winter will bring cold weather and ice dams if your attic is poorly insulated. However, your woes will not end there as there is a myriad of other problems that can stem from ice dams, which could put your entire roof in jeopardy.

If you ask an experienced Seattle roofer, he is likely to tell you that there are a several ways in which you can deal with a faulty roofing system. Essentially, it all lies on proper air sealing, insulation, and attic venting.

If you decide to fix the problem yourself, avoid the mistake of taking a hammer and pounding the ice into pieces. A quick and safe fix would be putting a sock or pantyhose that is filled with rock salt or calcium chloride across the ice dam so as to melt it without the risk of damaging your shingles.

You may also try using an electric heat cable to melt the snow. Ideally, the heat cable needs to be put down before the dam forms. Be mindful though that the snow may melt sooner than expected so you have to find a way for the water to flow off properly and completely.

In case you find ice dam removal too difficult to handle, you may seek the services of professional roofing contractors in Seattle. They have special tools and are knowledgeable on advanced techniques such as using pressured steam. While the upfront cost may be overwhelming, it is still cheaper than having a complete roof repair.