Schaumburg, IL, receives plenty of ice and snow during the winter months of the year. This frozen precipitation can spell big trouble for your home’s roofing system. The formation of ice dams are especially problematic because they put your home at risk of serious damage and roof leaks. A roofing contractor in Schaumburg offers several ways to protect your home from the damage caused by ice dams.
Clearing Snow and Ice
One way that an expert in roofing in Schaumburg, IL can help to prevent your home from developing an ice dam is to clear the snow and ice from your home’s rooftop. Roofing contractors have specialty tools such as snow rakes that allow them to stand on the ground and safely remove excess snow.
You may need to have this done if your home has a shallow sloped roof. If you notice any sagging of your roof line or you are already noticing water stains inside of your house, having a roofer remove some of the snow may help to control the damage.
Heating Cables
If an ice dam has already formed, your roofer can install heating cables. These are placed along your gutters and downspouts so the ice can safely and slowly melt. Once the snow and ice are gone, the contractor removes the cables.
Increasing Ventilation
Another technique used by roofers to prevent ice dams is to increase attic ventilation. When your roof is dry, the contractor can add passive or mechanical vents. A box or gable vent are passive ways that hot air can leave the attic without melting snow and making ice. An electrical attic fan or powered turbine can also help to release hot attic air.
Repairing Roof Damage
If your roof is damaged by ice dams, a contractor for roofing in Schaumburg IL can repair the damage. The damaged shingles can be removed so that the roof’s sheathing can be replaced. Your roofing contractor can place new decking, add insulation and a waterproof barrier and then install new shingles. The added insulation and waterproof barrier can help to protect your home from the formation of future ice dams.
Because of the very important role that your roofing system plays for the structural integrity of your home, it’s best that you entrust these tasks to professionals you can trust. Experienced companies like Muller Exteriors Inc. should be able to provide viable solutions for your roofing care issues.
Sources:
How to Get Rid of Ice Dams. This Old House.
Clearing Snow and Dealing with Ice Dams. WWLP.
