ICE DAMS DAMAGE HOMES
As January-February weather brings snow and ice, even Shell Knob homeowners can find icicles hanging from their roof. This may look lovely on Christmas cards, but can be damaging to your home. Severe winter weather isn't the norm in the Ozarks, but it can occur.
If there are icicles hanging, there are probably ice dams building up and they can damage a house. Non-uniform roof surface temperatures cause ice dams, according to the University of Missouri Extension.
"In the winter, when warm air inside the house leaks into the unheated attic, it creates warm area on the roof, which causes snow on the exterior of the roof to melt. The melting snow moves down the roof slope until it reaches the cold overhang, where it refreezes. The process continues, causing ice to build up along the eaves and form a dam.
This forces water to back up under the shingles and sometimes into the ceiling or wall inside the home. Dislodged roof shingles, sagging gutters, damaged insulation and water stains on interior ceilings and walls can be the result."
Short- term remove snow from the roof using a rake or push broom. Long-term, increase ceiling and roof insulation in your home to cut down on heat loss.
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