If you have asked yourself: do snow guards cause ice dams, the answer is no. Snow guards hold snow and ice in place. Ice dams usually begin to form at the edges of roof surface after heavy winter snowfall. Large icicles and a thickened snow layer along the edge of the roof and near the gutters are a sign of the emerging ice dam. This phenomenon is dangerous for the house, since the total mass of ice damming can reach several hundred kilograms or much more, depending on the roof area and its design features.
How ice dams are formed
In fact, snow guards do not cause ice dams and have nothing to do with the problem. An ice dam forms in the lower part of the roof slope because melted snow flows down and re-freezes at the very edge. As it accumulates, water tries to overflow through the already frozen ice wall and crystallizes in the open air thus causing formation of new layer. This is not evident from the outward because the processes occur under the top layer of snow.
The lower layer comes in contact with the heated air penetrating from under the warm attic and flows down the steal/aluminum or shingles roofs. This process can cause serious damage, both to the appearance and the service life of the structures. Eventually, ice melt water from the roofing panels can penetrate into the living space of the home. In addition, falling ice from ice dams and icicles coming off the roof can cause serious injury and damage to vehicles and property.
What can be done to keep snow and ice dam away?
To prevent ice dams, the thermal insulation of the attic should be carried out properly. Consider additional insulation shield of various air ducts, chimney, or just insulation of the roof slopes and the attic floors. The most effective long-term solution for ice dam is to retain heat from the attic and promote ventilation under the roof to keep it as cold as possible. The underside of the roof should be close to the temperature of the outside of the roof.
Snow guards prevent ice dams
While people try to rake the snow off the edge of the rooftop, many homeowners witness that installed snow guards for metal roof (snow guards for standing seam metal roofs, tiles, corrugated rooftop) are far more efficient a way. Snow guards job is completely the opposite: they hold the snow in place. Snow guard will make sure that snow accumulation and melting are safe even in most extreme temperatures and kinds of weather. Snow holders and gutter guards make sure to barrier the snow avalanche from the home roofs. They shield the avalanche and dump only safe amount of precipitation.
More ways of protection
The market offers special cable anti-freeze heat cables that one can install on rooftop, gutters, steps and walkways. Their function is very simple - to heat and melt snow and ice with further release of melted debris of ice and water through gutters and pipes to the ground. After this mass melts, it gets down without damaging either the roof or the gutter system, or the façade. This innovative way to get rid of snow s quite expensive and rare. If you want to protect your facility against ice damming you are advised to get the snow guards and consider the heat cable. Also remember to keep an eye on your patio. We recommend a hand push lawn mower for tending your garden.
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