Local roofer helps residents understand ice dams in wake of heavy snow and cold weather

Tim Mulroy of Toronto Roofing Industries in East Toronto let Beach Metro Community News know they have been receiving numerous calls from local residents expressing concerns about the growing number of icicles and potential ice dams on their roofs.

While the volume of calls have not been at the level that took place during the famous snow storm of 1999 that ended with then Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman calling in the Canadian Army for help, Mulroy said the number of calls this week has been significant.

To help residents understand what an ice dam on a roof is, he has shared the following information from Toronto Roofing industries Ltd.:

“What is an Ice Dam?  Ice dams are masses of ice on our roofs that usually collect on the lower edge and the troughs.  Accumulation of snow and ice can also form in valleys.  Ice dams form when there is an accumulation of snow.  They occur when the outside air is freezing but the attic air temperature is above freezing.  

“The warmth from the attic will melt the snow above.  As the melt water runs down, it refreezes at the cold edge of the roof; the roof overhang and gutters.  As the cycle of melt water continues to run down the roof, the wall of Ice prevents it from draining.  The snow melt has no where to go so it can find its way under your roof and into your home.

“What can be done about it?  The immediate solution is to break up the ice and clear a pathway for the melt water to escape.  There is no delicate way to do this so damage to your property may occur.  Calcium can be used to melt the ice too.

“The long term and most viable solution is to control the flow of warm air migration into our attics.  Cool attics usually result in cool roofs that prevent the snow melt in the first place.  Other considerations such as insulation, ventilation, heating cables, ice and watershield can all play a role.”

For more information from Toronto Roofing Industries on ice dams, please go to https://www.torontoroofingindustries.com/ice-dams/