Water Damage Caused By Ice Dams
When water freezes to the roof’s surface, it can create what is known as an ice dam.
Rain or melting snow runs down the roof and the dam stops the flow of water from exiting the surface of the roof. The water then backs up underneath flashing and roofing materials. To put it simply, water goes under the shingles and into the structure.
Ice dams typically occur on low slope roofs or where there is a change in directions, such as a dormer. Significant amounts of water can enter through small openings, causing extensive water damage to various building materials.
Once the water enters the roof, gravity takes effect. Water can run down the rafters and the framing, exiting either through the ceiling or the wall. Interior water damage caused by ice dams requires an inspection by a certified water damage restoration company.
Signs of Water Damage From an Ice Dam
How do you know if an ice dam may have caused water damage in your home?
- Recent weather conditions have produced freezing temperatures and precipitation
- There’s noticeable water damage on the ceiling, above a window, or coming out of the base of the wall. Water can appear either on the interior or exterior of the home.
- Water damage appears nowhere near a water source, meaning there are no plumbing lines or fixtures near the water damage.
Signs of water damage from ice dams can include water exiting the base of an exterior wall.
PHC was recently called for a water damage inspection in Lillington, NC where the homeowner noticed water running down the drywall and puddling on the hardwood floors.
The living room located in the front of the house was affected, and there were no plumbing lines nearby. Upon inspection, our water damage restoration experts discovered the source of the water damage to be an ice dam on the roof.
Repair of Water Damage From an Ice Dam
PHC’s certified water damage technicians immediately set up containment around the workspace to keep the unaffected areas clean. Then, using the least aggressive approach, they began to demo the trim and drywall and remove wet insulation. The technicians set up drying equipment to dry the wet framing, hardwoods, and the subfloor.
Once the water-damaged materials were dry, our Project Manager devised a plan to repair the home to pre-loss condition. PHC’s contents technicians moved the family’s contents out to allow for the sanding and refinishing of hardwood floors. Insulation, drywall, and trim were replaced and the affected walls were painted.
After hardwood refinishing, our technicians moved the contents back into the home, and set them up just like they were before the ice dam caused water damage in the living room.
This customer avoided extensive water damage, rot, and mold growth by taking quick action. For more information about PHC Restoration’s water damage repair process, visit https://phcrestoration.com/restoration-services/water-damage-repair-services/
