What are ice dams and what to do if you have them

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Friday’s snowstorm brought snow and ice to many across the Midstate leaving snow-covered vehicles and homes.

With snow melting and refreezing over the next few days, there’s a chance it could cause ice dams which can cause damage to your home.

The National Weather Service (NWS) says ice dams are more common in northern parts of the U.S. but can happen anytime there is a big shift in temperature.

The NWS says after days of melting-freezing cycles, the melted ice and water can get under the shingles of your roof enter the attic and eventually cause damage to your ceilings, walls, insulation, and flooring.

NWS says this can be especially damaging if the ice dam goes unnoticed for a long time.

Spotting an ice dam (source: AAA)

• Icicles formed along the edge of your roof and gutters
• Ice has developed on the overhangs of your roof
• Gutters filled with ice

What to do if you discover an ice dam

• Use a “roof rake” that has a long handle that allows you to stay on the ground and pull the snow off the roof
• Use a chemical melting agent with only calcium chloride to get large chunks of ice off of your roof but do not place them directly on your roof
• You can also hire a licensed contractor with experience removing ice dams

Preventing ice dams

• Clean all leaves, sticks and other debris from the gutters and downspouts of your home
• Keep heavy snow off your roof to lower the chances that an ice dam can form and roof failure due to the weight of the snow
• Check the insulation and ventilation in your attic to make sure there is good airflow
• NWS says the insulation prevents heat loss from inside the home and the venting allows the attic air to stay cold enough to prevent the melting-freezing cycle on the roof

Does homeowners insurance cover ice damage

• Depending on your provider and policy, the removal of an ice dam may not be covered, according to Progressive
• The cost to repair ice damage may be included such as damage caused to your roof, walls, or other structure damage up to your coverage limits
• Progressive says damage that happens over time from lack of maintenance before or after the ice dam damage may not be covered