As a resident of Denver, Colorado, you are likely well aware that you will have to deal with ice and snow during the cold winter months. This means that your home will have an accumulation of snow and potentially ice on the roof that needs to be monitored.
Sometimes that snow and ice accumulation turns into ice dams on the eaves of the roof as well as dangerous icicles hanging from the gutters. Both ice dams and icicles have the potential to cause serious damage to the interior and exterior of your home as well as harm to anyone passing beneath the overhanging eave.
At HotEdge®, we are the world leader in manufacturing accredited roof ice melt systems and we are the ONLY UL Listed solution on the market. Our team is well-aware of the potential damage that ice dams can cause, and our goal is to provide the residents and business owners in the Denver, Colorado, area with ice dam removal and solutions to their ice dam problems.
No matter what type of roof you have on your home, ice builds up and creates serious problems, including damage to the exterior wall of your home, warping in the attic floor, heat loss, and other serious damage. Our ice damming experts at HotEdge® can assess your roof and determine the right type of ice dam prevention method for you.
How Do Ice Dams Form?
Melted snow on a warm roof will begin to flow down the slope of the roof and, hopefully, through the gutters or down the drain pipes. This will occur as warm air comes in during the early afternoon, but the temperatures will likely change as night falls.
A drop in the temperature prevents snow melts and will begin to refreeze the water. Likewise, the darkness of your gutters keeps a much colder temperature and begins to refreeze the melted snow. The gutter is only so deep, so the freezing water will build up into an ice dam underneath your roof shingles. When the water reaches the soffit vents, there is no warm air to prevent snowmelt from refreezing in the gutter.
What Are the Causes of Ice Dams on Homes in Denver, Colorado?
In classic images of the winter, icicles are a common feature along with inches of snow accumulation on just about every exterior surface. Unfortunately, the beauty of those scenes is undercut by the knowledge that icicles, as well as dammed water, are going to damage the home on which they have formed.
Ice dams can form on just about any roof as long as there is snow accumulation on the roof which has melted and can refreeze. Here are some of the most common causes of ice dams on homes in Denver and Colorado Springs:
- Air leaks release warmed air throughout the attic causing the warm roof to melt the snow
- Poor insulation, especially on low-sloped roofs and short overhangs. Without sufficient insulation, ice dams are formed when the melted water reaches the unheated overhangs or the locations where the roof and wall meet.
- Any kind of HVAC (air conditions, furnace, ductwork) equipment in the attic can contribute to ice damming.
- Heavy snow
- Sun and wind remove snow off of the roof allowing the roofing materials to be warmed and melt the rest of the remaining snow
When you have ice dams forming on your roof or icicles hanging down from the entire length of the eaves, it is time to take action before any further damage can occur.
Ways to Prevent Ice Dams from Forming
One of the best ways to prevent the formation of ice dams on your roof is by having a roof ice melt system installed by HotEdge®. Ice dams can be very destructive forces during the winter months, and you will be paying for it once the spring thaw arrives. You will quickly notice exterior damage to your shingles and gutters as well as interior damage in your attic or the ceilings.
At HotEdge®, we can install one of our ice melting systems on just about any kind of roof, including metal, shingles, wood shake, concrete tile, and slate. Our team is happy to discuss your options with you and make sure that you are well aware of all of the benefits that our systems have for your home.
What About an Ice and Water Shield?
In certain parts of Colorado, houses that are built at an elevation of over 7000′ are required to have an ice and water shield installed. This does not prevent ice dams from forming but rather prevents the water from getting into the soffit vents. The shield is a rubberized underlayment that seals around nails and staples. This makes it more difficult for water to get through an opening created by a nail.
Although they are useful, they are not a solution to an ice dam problem. To ensure that your Denver home is protected, it is essential that you consider installing one of our ice melting systems from HotEdge®.
Contact Our Ice Dam Prevention Experts in Denver, Colorado
At HotEdge®, we have the ice dam systems that homeowners need to prevent these dangerous formations from happening. They can have serious effects on your home and may even cause expensive damage. We know that homeowners and business owners in the Denver, Colorado, area want to protect their homes throughout the entire year, and preventing the formation of ice dams is one way to keep your house secure in the winter.
Our team at HotEdge® is happy to discuss your options with you, depending on the type of roof you have. We can accommodate many types of roofs and have a variety of systems to choose from. Contact us today to learn more about all of your options for melting ice on your roof or to place your order with us.
We can’t wait to help you keep your home safe, warm, and secure during the cold winter months in Colorado!
