What to Do if You Get an Ice Dam on Your Roof in Central Texas

Central Texas does not experience bone-chilling winters compared to other regions. Therefore, it is unusual that the residents of Central Texas would be dealing with problems like ice dams and water leaks.

If you have lived in Central Texas for a long time, you are aware that many homes are not constructed with snow and ice barrier protectants as roofers do in the North. In fact, roofers in Central Texas construct roofs with heat on their minds, meaning that roofs in Central Texas are designed to become efficient in ventilating or cooling down the attic during hot summers. It is for that reason that ice dams can cause some panic among Central Texas residents.

At Dynamite Roofing & Construction, we understand all about these icy nuisances and how to keep ice dams at bay, especially for homes in Central Texas.

Ice Dams in Central Texas: All You Need to Know

Central Texas does not experience cold weather. The few times that it happens, it results in the formation of pesky ice dams that can easily wreak havoc on roofs that were not primarily designed to handle bone-chilling winters.

Here are some reasons why ice dams form on Texan roofs.

Sneaky Warmth

Notably, Central Texas is generally warmer than other parts of the country. Unfortunately, warm weather does not hibernate during winter, and mild daytime temperatures melt the snow on the roof. The melted snow finds its way down the roof but then refreezes on the cooler eaves.

Reduced Ventilation in the Attic

Many homes are constructed with a focus on a well-ventilated attic. In Central Texas, many homes exhibit limited attic ventilation, which exacerbates snow melting and the growth of ice dams.

Unexpected Blizzards

Blizzards are rare in Central Texas, but occasional heavy snowfall results in a quick pile-up of snow on your roof. The snow then insulates and traps heat, which creates a perfect situation for ice to melt and fly down the roof, only for it to freeze before dropping down the gutters.

What to Do if You Get an Ice Dam on Your Roof in Central Texas

Ice dams are generally preventable, and there are a few ways to prevent them from forming on your roof.

1. Close Up the Attic Bypasses

Heat loss in every home often occurs through the ceiling and into the attic. Naturally, your home should not experience heat loss, but there are different areas that make it vulnerable to heat loss.

For example, there could be gaps in the drywall, cracks around light fixtures, access hatches, plumbing pipes, and other penetrations into the ceiling that instigate heat loss. When the heat escapes into the attic, some sections of the roof become warmer, and other areas remain as cold as the outside temperatures. The warmer areas of the roof cause ice to melt, but the melted ice refreezes when it gets down to the eaves of the roof that remained as cold as the outside temperature.

The frozen ice will form ice dams. You can prevent this from happening by climbing into your attic and pulling back the insulation. You should also plug any cracks using caulk, foam, or other methods.

2. Use Hot Water

If the temperatures outside dip suddenly, you should run hot water over any ice dams that have formed. The ice will melt and then allow the water to run off the roof as it should.

3. Heating Cables

One other way to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof is to install heating cables close to the eave of your roof. The installation of heating cables usually happens long before the cold weather sets in.

4. Ice and Water Barrier

The ice and water barriers should be installed along the bottom three feet of the eave, which will prevent any water from getting into the house when an ice dam forms. It may not be a common practice in central Texas, but it is now becoming a necessity as a way to prevent leaks when ice dams form on your roof.

Always Hire a Professional

If you already have an ice dam on your roof, you don’t need to worry at all. Our professionals at Dynamite Roofing & Construction are ready to help you get rid of ice dams from your roof. Contact us today for your roofing needs.