Have you ever wondered what an ice dam was or what causes it? In this episode of the Disaster Podcast, we answer this common question and give you tips on what to look for! Disaster Podcast is brought to you by Disaster Blaster! https://disasterblaster.com/ With franchise opportunities available across most of the country, Disaster Blaster is YOUR chance to take control of your future and be part of a thriving restoration brand. Contact our Franchise Team at 302-242-1042 or Franchising@disasterblaster.com to start your future TODAY! Franchise Opportunities: https://disasterblasterfranchise.com #DisasterBlaster #DisasterPodcast #Podcast #Franchise #news #announcement #Business #Entrepreneur #FranchiseOpportunity #FranchiseOpportunities #BeYourOwnBoss #BusinessOwner #SelfEmployed #home #house #winter #winterstorm #stormdamage #storm #snow #ice #icedam #dam #insurance #insuranceclaim

- Have you ever wondered what causes an ice dam? A common issue during the winter, ice dams result in thousands of insurance claims every year, but how do they form and how do they cause so much property damage? Coming up on this episode of The Disaster Podcast... Stay tuned. Believe it or not, ice dams actually require very specific weather conditions to form. Cold temperatures alone rarely form ice dams, it's actually sudden temperature variations that create the right conditions for ice dams to form. Imagine your roof is covered with snow and the temperatures warm up causing the snow to start to melt. Now if the temperatures drop and it gets colder, the snow melt that is running off your roof can freeze along your roof edge or overhang, creating a dam that prevents subsequent snow, ice, and water from leaving your roof much like a dam does. Your roof isn't designed to hold water like this, so this water is able to force its way up under your roof shingles where it is able to leak into your home causing water damage and mold growth. Unfortunately, the leaks caused by ice dams often occur in areas of the home that make them difficult to spot, such as attic spaces, the areas below your roof structure, and exterior walls. This means that these leaks can occur for an extended period of time, increasing the potential for property damage and mold growth. Even when leaks do occur in living spaces, the fact they often run down inside exterior wall cavities means that they are more difficult to spot until significant damage has occurred. Despite the damage that ice dams cause inside your home, they rarely cause damage to your roof itself as your shingles will set back down after the ice dam has melted. While this may avoid the need to repair or replace your roof, there are some factors that can contribute to the potential for ice dams to form that you may want to address as part of future maintenance. While there is always potential for ice dams to occur, some things can make that more likely, such as clogged gutters and improperly insulated attics. The reason clogged gutters can be an issue is that they can slow down or block the transit of water runoff from your roof, increasing the potential for it to freeze along the edge of your roof. While cleaning your gutters won't guarantee that ice dams can't form, it will address a common factor that aids in the formation of ice dams. We recommend cleaning your gutters every fall for the best efficiency. Another common issue that aids in the formation of ice dams is improperly insulated attics. If you haven't watched our Disaster Podcast episode "Is Your Attic Over-Insulated", we definitely recommend checking out that episode. Essentially, when your attic is not insulated properly, heat can either escape through your roof or, through insulating your attic ceiling, your roof can simply be warmer than it should be. This escaping. Heat can encourage snow in your roof to melt, even though it could be quite cold outside. When this snow melt hits the cold overhang of your roof, an ice dam can form. We always recommend using best practices when insulating your attic to avoid potential issues like ice dams, mold growth, and damage to your roof system and shingles. Now that you know what an ice dam is and what damage they can cause, you may be wondering how you can spot them. It's actually easier than you may think. If you see a buildup of ice or snow along the edge of your roof or overhang, that could be an ice dam. If you see icicles forming along your over hang or gutters, that could be an ice dam as well. If you suspect that you may have an ice dam at your home, we recommend checking inside for any signs of water damage or leaks. Keep in mind that the leaks from ice dams are often small and gradual causing significant damage over time. Be sure to check attic areas and check exterior walls and ceilings for any signs of water damage. Due to the fact that interior water damage from ice dams can be difficult to spot, we always recommend contacting your local Disaster Blaster for an evaluation. Our teams have specialized moisture testing equipment that allows us to trace the water and determine if and to what extent water damage may exist so that it can be addressed effectively. We hope this answers some questions you had about ice dams. If you have any questions that we didn't address, please leave a comment and we will be sure to address it for you. Thank you for watching. Would you like to take control of your future and build a business you can be proud of? We can help. As a Disaster Blaster Franchise Partner, our industry experts will help you unlock the potential of the $210 billion restoration industry. Disaster Blaster offers the most revenue streams in the restoration industry, training and support from industry experts, a unique model primed for your success, and more! Call our franchise team today to learn more at 242-1042 or visit us on the web at www.DisasterBlasterFranchise.com. Stay tuned for some frequently asked questions, but while you're here, don't forget to like and subscribe. What are common signs of winter storm damage? While most people think of hurricanes and tornadoes when they think of storm damage, winter storm damage caused by frigid temperatures, ice, and snow can be devastating to your home as well. In fact, because winter weather can be so harsh on our homes, it's the most common season for you to experience property damage and insurance claims. Here are some common signs of winter storm damage that you can keep an eye out for: Roof & Siding Damage. Winter weather can cause significant damage to your roof and siding, including damage from hail, the weight of ice and snow, and roof leaks. But what can you look for? The easiest potential issues to spot are ice dams that may be forming along your roof edge or gutters. Ice dams are an accumulation of ice and snow that prevents rainwater and melted snow from running off the roof. Instead, this water pushes up underneath the roof shingles where it can leak into your home causing water damage and mold growth. Another common issue during the winter is damage to roofs and roof structures as a result of the weight of ice and snow, ice and snow can be extremely heavy, potentially creating a significant burden on your roof. This is particularly common for flat roofs and roofs with inadequate slopes. Damage to gutters and siding is also common and can allow water intrusion into your exterior walls where it can become trapped. Cause interior water damage and potential mold problems. Freezing Damage & Frozen Pipes. The frigid temperatures that often accompany the winter months can cause a variety of issues, including frozen pipes, inside your home. This is most common in pipes that run through exterior walls or areas of the home that aren't climate controlled, such as basements, crawl spaces, and garages. These frozen pipes can cause significant water damage that often affects multiple rooms and even multiple floors inside your home and require a specialized team like Disaster Blaster to address properly and effectively. Frozen pipes can be avoided by adequately heating the space, applying products like heat tape to susceptible plumbing, or in a pinch running the water at a trickle as running water is less likely to freeze. Foundation Damage. Particularly common during rapid freeze and thaw events. Winter weather can change the path runoff takes along your foundation, potentially allowing water to enter your basement or even causing serious structural damage to your foundation walls. This may not look like significant damage right away, but foundation issues can worsen quickly causing water intrusion that results in interior water damage or mold growth, or create indoor humidity problems. This is why it is so important to address these issues as quickly as possible. What is water damage? Common types of water damage include pipe breaks, roof leaks, and appliance failures, such as hot water heater breaks and leaks from refrigerators. Whether a result of a burst pipe or a roof leak, water damage can be significant. It's our job to prevent further damage from occurring and to properly dry out your home as quickly as possible. Left unchecked water damage can worsen over time leading to structural damage and even mold growth. Thanks so much for watching. Don't forget to like and subscribe and while you're here, check out our other great content.