Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof or around drains and prevent melting snow from draining off your roof. The water that backs up behind this ice dam can leak into the building and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas. Additionally, when the roof doesn’t drain properly, snow, ice and water remain trapped on the roof, adding additional weight that can put your roof at greater risk of collapse.
Safely removing the snow will remove the source of the ice dam.
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Preventing Ice Dams
To help prevent ice dams from forming:
Increase insulation above ceilings. If the ceilings are suspended non-combustible mineral fiber, then install fiberglass batt insulation. If the ceilings are drywall nailed directly to wood joists, blown insulation or fiberglass batt insulation can be added. When adding fiberglass batt insulation, if there is a paper facer, place the paper side facing down.
Create a roof care plan that includes periodically inspecting the roof drainage system for proper flow including drains, scuppers, gutters, and downspouts.
Self-regulating heating cables can be permanently installed on gutters, downspouts, and around roof drains. Since their power is self-adjusting based on the ambient temperature, they are cost-effective.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning, Engineers (ASHRAE) can be a valuable resource for guidance on the use of heating cables.
- Keep all drains, scuppers, gutters, and downspouts free of debris and vegetation that may restrict proper flow.
- Prune trees that may hang over the roof to prevent an accumulation of tree leaves and branches that may clog or slow roof drainage.
- Improve ventilation. An option for improving roof ventilation is to install electric power vents with thermostats.
FOR FLAT, LOW SLOPED ROOF SYSTEMS:
- Commercial buildings with flat roofs are particularly vulnerable to water leaks if ice dams keep water from flowing into roof drains.
- If the building has a history of ice dams, removing the snow will remove the source of a potential ice dam.
- A heavy-duty push broom with stiff bristles may be used to brush off the snow on low slope or flat roofs. A shovel or snow blower should not be used since they may tear up the roof cover system.
- Ice dams don’t actually have to clog the drains and in fact, the drains are frequently clear and open. The ice forms a ring around the drain and sometimes a dome over the drain that keeps water from flowing.
- If ice dams form around the drains, heating cables can be connected to the drains to prevent ice buildup.
- Heating cables can be installed in a zigzag manner in gutters.
- Heating cables can also be placed on the roof, connecting them to the drainage system so a path is created for the melting ice to follow.
- If there is extensive ice build-up around the drains, consult a roofing contractor to ensure that the roof cover system is adequately sloped to the drains.
- When the roof is dry, inspect the roof cover for evidence of long-term standing water. This will be evident in the presence of mold, mildew, and even small vegetation growing. This indicates a problem with the slope of the roof cover system; which will reduce proper watershed and drainage. The roof cover system can likely be re-pitched with additional insulation boards by a roofing contractor.
- In low sloped roof buildings, the space above a suspended ceiling located below the roof may be heated and cooled in the occupied area below. If that is the case, there is no need to insulate above the suspended ceiling or seal the ceiling’s penetrations.
Removing Ice Dams
Removal will result in better drainage and reduce the risk of water damage.
IBHS does not recommend chipping or breaking ice dams due to the damage that can be inflicted on the roof.
For low slope roofs or flat roofs:
- Removing the snow will remove the source of a potential ice dam.
- Use a heavy-duty push broom with stiff bristles to brush off the snow on low slope or flat roofs.
- Never use a shovel or snow blower since they may tear up the roof cover system.
For steep slope roofs:
- Removing the snow will remove the source of a potential ice dam.
- A roof rake may be used for most single story buildings while remaining on the ground to pull snow down the roof slope.
- Do not pull snow back against the slope or sideways since the snow may get underneath the cover and can break shingles.
For buildings with roofs that cannot be reached with a roof rake from the ground, consult a roofing contractor. Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) regulations and standards should always be followed when working on a roof. Fall protection should always be implemented when working on a roof.
Ice Dam Prevention: Metal Roofs
Ice dams can be a serious problem for Chicago-area businesses. Not only can they damage your roof and the foundation of your building, but if they fall they can seriously hurt an employee or passersby. Because of the risks presented by ice dams, some Joliet-area businesses wonder what they can do for roof ice dam prevention. Aside from following the tips highlighted above, businesses can consider purchasing a metal roof.
A key factor in roof ice dam prevention, metal roofs are optimal for cold-weather climates. Metal roofs have nothing for ice to adhere to, meaning any accumulating snow or water will simply fall away, especially if you have a pitched metal roof. Roofs made with shingles or another porous material allows water to settle into small cracks and crevices, giving the ice a large area to “grab” onto and accumulate. Read more about the benefits of metal roofs below:
Ice Dam Prevention with Metal Roofs
- Metal roofs are slippery and non-porous, meaning ice cannot adhere to the surface and instead slides off.
- Ice can accumulate on ridges, and while some metal roofs come with ridges for structural integrity, they are normally vertical, not horizontal. This means that any ice that does accumulate will likely fall off before becoming too heavy or a potential hazard.
- Metal roofs are much less likely to leak because of an ice dam too. With no shingles for water to slip under, metal roofs provide an even, uninterrupted plane of coverage that won’t leak.
Having snow-stop systems and treating your roof will help prevent ice dam build-up, as well as ensure the safety of your employees and your customers. However, Rockford-area business owners who want to prevent ice buildup and save money will find excellent ice dam prevention with a metal roof.
NIR Roof Care: Commercial Roofing Near You
Whether you need emergency roof repair near you or a commercial roofing near you, trust the experts at NIR Roof Care to help you get the services you need. Our certified and experienced staff will give you a quote on your roof repair costs, then we’ll set you up with an annual maintenance plan to help you save money and avoid future damages. Schedule a roof inspection with our team today, then see how our new app can help you keep track of your roofs condition and easily schedule maintenance and repairs! While you’re here, take a look at our overview of the issues UV light can cause with your commercial roof!
