Ice Dams Can Cause Costly Interior Water Damage

7/26/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth near a window.

Mold Damage and Mold Cleanup

Icicles forming at the edge of a roofline may have a certain wintery charm to them, but they may also be a sign of imminent structural damage. When a ridge of ice forms along the edge of a roof, it’s called an ice dam. It can cause two things to happen. First, its excessive weight on exterior structures, such as gutters, may pull them off and cause them to fall to the ground. Bigger and more insidious issues, however, are interior mold damage and mold cleanup.

1. How the Trouble Begins

It can happen in Clyde, NC. It can happen anywhere. Melting snow on a roof may not be draining properly because ice is blocking it. Water that sits on any roof can find its way inside the structure through small cracks and crevices. Unfortunately, this isn’t always apparent when it’s occurring.

2. Infiltrating Water Finds a New Home

Ice dams can cause water to wind its way down through the roof and into warm areas below. It can travel into drywall, insulation and other parts of an attic or crawl space. Under these conditions, mold can flourish. This includes even black mold which can be a tough one to get rid of and is a big concern to most building owners.

3. What You Can Do About It

Ice on the roof is very treatable when dealt with promptly. First, carefully remove what snow you can from the roof. In the process, sure not to hurt the roof or yourself. If possible, remove debris from gutters. Gently tap in different sections of the ice dam to break it up. If that seems like an impossible task, apply calcium chloride to melt the ice. Place it in and along the length of the gutter. Don’t use salt. It can be corrosive.

It’s important to take a hands-on approach in dealing with an ice dam. If your mold growth still isn't going away after several attempts at removing the ice, it may be time to contact professionals in mold remediation. By addressing any issues promptly, you can potentially avoid a more extensive and expensive cleanup.