Outdoor Living

Act Now to Prevent Ice Damage to Your Home

(MS) - You may not know what ice dams are, but they cost the public millions of dollars each year. Ice dams form when warmth from inside a home causes snow on the roof to melt and trickle to the roof's edge, where it refreezes, blocking gutters and drains. Since water cannot flow over the built-up ice, it seeps into the home under the shingles, often causing extensive damage to the roof decking and a home's interior - particularly ceilings, walls, interior carpets and flooring. Fortunately, there are things that you can do in the summer and fall to protect your home.

"If your house is susceptible to ice dams, the best time to take action is now," says Bill Mullaney, senior vice president of customer service and claims for MetLife Auto & Home. "During the early spring, we routinely see hundreds of claims caused by ice dams. An ounce of prevention during the warmer months can help keep things from snowballing out of control during the cooler ones." Following are some tips to consider during the fall:

Keep all gutters and downspouts clear. Be sure that sticks and debris are removed from your home's gutters and downspouts. During the winter, periodically check their condition, removing any snow or icicles that accumulate.

Give your roof an overcoat. The most effective way to eliminate ice dams is to stop snowmelt by making the roof colder. This can be achieved by insulating the floor of the attic and under the roof, and by blocking all crevices where warm air from the interior can rise into the attic.

Identify water entry points within the home. You may wish to contact a contractor to locate these entry points and take the appropriate actions to create a waterproof barrier.

Once winter has arrived, there are still ways to prevent an ice dam or to minimize the effects if one has already occurred. After a snowfall, consider the following:

If possible, keep snow off the roof with a snow rake. Use a roof rake or push broom to reduce the amount of snow that could melt. Do not climb on the roof to clear the snow as serious injury may result. Also, be cautious of electrical wires.

To melt the ice, bring new life to an old set of legs. Placing old nylon stockings filled with snowmelt over an ice dam is an effective way to melt the dam and create a channel for the water to run off. Be certain to lay the stockings perpendicular to the gutter near the edge of the roof.

In an emergency situation, where water is seeping into the house, notify a professional contractor at once. Although other temporary solutions do exist, it's a good idea to leave the work to the professionals. In the meantime, it's possible to capture entering water before it causes significant damage by placing a bucket under the leak.

For additional information on how to forestall future problems, MetLife Auto & Home offers a free brochure, "Protecting Your Home Against Damage From Freezing Weather," by calling (800) 638-5433 (1-800-MET-LIFE).

ICE DAMS can cause extensive damage to a home. Prevent problems by taking preventive measures during warmer months.