Many home owner’s have been puzzled when they notice a consistent dripping from above on a winter day. Especially, when no snow or rain fall occurred on that particular day. So how is it possible the roof be leaking on a day on a day such as this?

The reason this is possible is due to the formation of what is known as an ice dam. Ice dams form on homes in Colorado in such areas as Highlands Ranch, Greenwood Village, Centennial, Littleton, Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Brighton, Aurora and  Boulder to name a few. The reason for this being is that these areas can receive significant snowfall which can form a barrier of ice that accumulates near the edge of the roof. This barrier is what has commonly been known to be called an ice dam which prevents the roof from draining properly. As the picture depicts, damage to roof materials and leaks are caused when water builds up behind the ice dam from the snow that is melting. Unwanted water invading your home can negatively affect the interior of your home as well as personal belongings and even furniture. Sometimes, if the leak is bad enough, mold and mildew have been known to form. Small children and pets are the most susceptible to respiratory infections brought on by mold growth and should be avoided at all costs for everyone.

Poor insulation of the space in the attic allows warm air to permeate through the attic ceiling reaching the underside of the roof. This warm air warms up the roof which causes water at the edge of the roof to freeze. This is the main reason ice dams form. Repairing a roof that is leaky will not necessarily stop ice dams from forming in the future.

Here is how to best protect yourself and prevent ice dam formation:

  • Clean your gutters of all leafs and debris before first snowfall of each year. This will assist in  eliminating a build-up of ice in the gutters
  • Seal any air leaks in the attic
  • Add insulation to the attic once the all leaks are sealed. Keeping warm air inside will prevent the chances of the roof warming too much on the outside.
  • Make sure you have proper attic ventilation to reduce heat transfer through attic to the roof.

If there is even a chance your home could be suffering from water leaking due to ice dam, call Vivax Pro Roofing at (720-290-9448). We will get one of our professional roofing installers to you ASAP to provide you with an expert diagnosis and solutions for your home! We service the areas of Highlands Ranch, Greenwood Village, Centennial, Littleton, Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Brighton, Broomfield, Thornton, Westminster, Boulder, Aurora, Englewood and Denver.