Ice Dams and Poor Insulation
The sight of icicles hanging from gutters is not just unattractive, it’s a warning sign that the roof is in trouble. Icicles form when a building’s attic is not properly insulated and the attic ventilation is inadequate. When heat escapes from the living spaces below, it warms the roof and melts snow on top. When the meltwater backs up against the ice dam, it can leak through shingles or into the structure and cause damage to walls, ceilings and insulation.
As the ice dam grows, it can block water from draining. This causes the water to back up under shingles and seep into the attic, attic insulation and walls of the structure, which can damage sheathing, insulation, and drywall in Greenwood, IN, and create hidden mold and mildew problems in the attics and interiors of homes and buildings. The damp conditions can also lead to structural weakening and damage over time, causing long-term issues with the integrity of the building’s structure.
Categories of Water From an Ice Dam
According to the ANSI/IICRC S500, Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, water entering structures from an ice dam can fall into three different categories, based on its origin, source, and quality after it contacts building materials on the job site. The S500 defines category 1 as clean water that does not contain contaminants. Category 2 is considered contaminated water that contains additives or other substances that may be picked up during the melting process. And finally, category 3 is considered hazardous water that can pose a health risk to workers and occupants.
The Foam Depot Insulation Company
812-322-9417
1430 Raymond Rd Martinsville, IN