Is Your Roof Ready for Utah Winter? How to Prevent Ice Dams and Snow Damage

Living in Elsinore and the greater Sevier County area, we are no strangers to harsh winters. While the snow looks beautiful on the mountains, it can be a silent killer for your roof.

The combination of heavy snow loads, freezing nights, and slightly warmer days creates the perfect environment for one of the most destructive roofing problems: Ice Dams.

At Insight Roofing, we want your home to stay dry and warm this season. Here is everything you need to know about preparing your roof for a Utah winter and preventing costly water damage.

What Is an Ice Dam?

You have likely seen them before: thick ridges of solid ice that form at the edge of a roof, often accompanied by long, heavy icicles hanging from the gutters. While they might look picturesque, they are a sign of a serious temperature imbalance in your home.

How they form:

• Heat Loss: Warm air from your living space leaks into the attic.
• Melting: This warm air heats the roof deck, melting the snow on top of your shingles.
• Refreezing: The meltwater runs down the roof until it hits the eaves (the roof edge). Since the eaves aren’t over the heated living space, they are freezing cold.
• The Dam: The water freezes instantly at the edge, creating a ridge of ice. As more snow melts, water backs up behind this ridge, creating a pool of standing water.

Why Are Ice Dams Dangerous?

The problem isn’t the ice itself—it’s the water trapped behind it.

Asphalt shingles are designed to shed water running down, but they are not designed to hold standing water. Once water pools behind the ice dam, it can seep underneath the shingles. From there, it drips into your attic, soaking your insulation and eventually ruining your ceiling drywall.

If left unchecked, ice dams can cause:

• Rotting roof decking.
• Mold and mildew growth in the attic.
• Collapsed gutters due to excessive weight.
• Interior water leaks that damage paint and flooring.

3 Steps to Prevent Winter Roof Damage

The best way to handle ice dams is to stop them from forming in the first place. Here is how you can prepare your home:

1. Check Your Attic Insulation and Ventilation

This is the #1 cause of ice dams. If your attic is warm, you will have snow melt. Your goal is to keep the attic temperature as close to the outside temperature as possible.

• Seal Air Leaks: Block gaps around light fixtures, plumbing pipes, and chimneys where warm air rises into the attic.
• Insulate: Ensure you have sufficient insulation on the attic floor to keep heat in the living room, not the attic.

2. Keep Your Gutters Clean

Before the first heavy snow flies in Elsinore, make sure your gutters are free of autumn leaves and debris. Clogged gutters allow water to freeze faster, providing a foundation for ice dams to build upon.

3. Safely Remove Excess Snow

After a heavy storm, removing snow from the bottom 3-4 feet of your roof can prevent the melt-freeze cycle.

• Use a Roof Rake: Use a telescoping roof rake with massive wheels or bumpers to gently pull snow down while standing safely on the ground.
• Avoid Salt: Do not throw rock salt on your roof; it will corrode your nails and damage your shingles.
• Don’t Hack the Ice: Never take a hammer, shovel, or pickaxe to the ice on your roof. You are almost guaranteed to crack a shingle, leading to a permanent leak.

When to Call a Professional

If you already have a massive ice dam or you notice water stains appearing on your ceiling, do not climb on the roof yourself. Icy roofs are incredibly dangerous.

A professional roofer can safely steam off ice dams or perform emergency repairs to stop water ingress. Furthermore, if your roof is older (20+ years), the granules may have worn off, making the shingles brittle and more susceptible to winter cracking.

Stay Warm and Dry This Winter

Don’t wait until water is dripping into your living room to think about your roof. A little prevention now can save you thousands of dollars in repairs later.

If you are worried about your roof’s condition or need an inspection to ensure you are ready for the snow, give us a call. We are your local neighbors in Elsinore, and we are here to help.

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