Living in Illinois or Missouri can make it difficult to keep your roof in good condition. Midwest winters often bring about the perfect conditions for ice dams and freeze-thaw damage. The areas around eaves, chimneys, and gutters usually experience the most wear and tear. Fortunately, there is a way to protect your roof from ice dams and freeze-thaw issues. It starts with understanding why and how ice dam formation occurs and then entails selecting from multiple prevention methods. Many homes benefit from implementing a combination of solutions to keep their roofs fully protected.
What Causes Ice Dams and Freeze-Thaw Roof Damage in the Midwest
Ice dams and freeze-thaw roof damage are usually the result of the region’s extreme weather patterns. The process starts as soon as heat moves out of the house and into the attic, where it warms the underside of the roof. Typically, air leaks or inadequate insulation around light fixtures, chimneys, and attic hatches are to blame for this heat transmission.
The bottom layer of snow on the roof starts to melt when the temperature of the roof goes beyond 32°F, even if the air outside stays frozen. Beyond the heated walls of the home, the eaves and gutters collect the snowmelt that trickles down. A thick ridge of ice forms along the cooler borders, and it becomes thicker with each melting cycle because the water rapidly refreezes there.
Behind this ice barrier, a reservoir of trapped liquid water may form. When water pools on the roof, it ultimately finds its way under the shingles, where it can seep through plywood and into the walls or attic. Another major stressor is the weight of the ice, which can separate the gutters from the fascia and put pressure on the roof’s structural edge. The continuous expansion and contraction cause roofing materials to separate, existing cracks to widen, and the overall aging process to accelerate.
How ice dams hurt the roof’s performance and the home’s energy efficiency:
- Increased heat loss through roof
- Water intrusion under shingles
- Reduced insulation effectiveness
- Higher heating system workload
- Moisture buildup causing drafts
Winter Warning Signs Homeowners Should Watch For
You can avoid a hefty repair bill by learning to recognize the subtle cues for ice dams and freeze-thaw damage. If you see thick, heavy icicles hanging from the gutters and not the trim or windows, it should raise warning flags. Despite their attractive appearance, these ice formations often signify that runoff is refreezing near the edge of the roof, which means that a dam is already starting to develop.
The uneven melting of snow on your roof is another subtle but important indicator. Spots of exposed shingle where the snow has melted away from the roof are hot spots. This indicates that there are some spots in your attic where heat is escaping, which is causing the snow to melt from below and creating an ideal environment for ice dams to form.
Inside the house, pay special attention to the walls and ceilings on the top story. In particular, you should inspect the area around the outside walls for signs of drooping drywall, paint flaking, or black water stains. Water collected by an ice dam may back up beneath shingles, causing it to spill from the gutters and seep into wall cavities. When this happens, it can take some time to notice the ice dam roof damage, but such issues may be significant.
In the event of a severe freeze, it’s imperative to carefully observe the operation of your doors and windows. Too much weight on the roof can lead to cracks in plaster and the abrupt sticking of doors and windows. The weight of the snow can even cause your home’s framework to buckle under the strain, slightly misaligning the frames.
The main clues to watch for include:
- Icicles along eaves
- Ice ridge formation
- Gutters ice buildup
- Water stains indoors
- Peeling ceiling paint
- Drafts near attic
Prevention Checklist: Ventilation, Insulation, Gutters, and Roof Details
Creating a “cold roof” in the attic with thick insulation is the first line of defense against ice dams. By maintaining a temperature on the roof deck that is similar to that of the outside, this prevents the freeze-thaw cycle from happening.
Along with insulation, ventilation helps dissipate any leftover heat. Having a well-balanced system of vents in the soffit and ridge guarantees that chilled air is continuously circulating under the roof. This circulation of air prevents the “hot spots” from causing the eaves to melt in one location and then freeze over.
For proper drainage during mid-winter thaws, make sure your gutters are clear. Remove any obstructions from your downspouts that may cause water to pool before the first snowfall. The troughs will solidify with frozen water if water cannot flow freely, creating an ice dam.
Lastly, schedule annual roof maintenance. One of our expert roofers will find and fix clogged ventilation pathways, cracked flashing seals, and compromised shingle underlayment, reducing the risk of winter roof problems.
When to Schedule a Winter Roof Inspection or Repair
Any time you suspect your roof isn’t staying warm enough to prevent ice dams, you need to book an inspection or repair. John Beal Roofing has multiple decades of expertise in the roofing industry. We are very familiar with the weather conditions in Missouri and Illinois that impact roof systems. We’ll guide you through the different solutions that can prevent winter damage. We even offer 24/7 emergency roof repair for issues that need immediate attention, like winter roof leaks from ice dam water intrusion.
Contact John Beal Roofing today to schedule professional services that protect your roof against ice dams in Illinois or Missouri.
