Last updated 6 days ago
Temperature changes on cold winter days can lead to snow melting and quickly refreezing into sheets of ice. While a refreeze on the ground is annoying, a refreeze on your roof can seriously damage your house. This is because refreezes on your roof create ice dams that stop water and snow from sliding off of your sloped roof. The weight of the extra snow and water can sometimes be too much for a roof, and the results can be devastating.
You can avoid the problems associated with ice dams by calling Apex Exteriors. Apex Exteriors is a high-quality roofing company operating in the Northbrook, Naperville, and Glenview areas. We also specialize in siding and windows. For more information, call (888) 884-1328 today.
Last updated 14 days ago
If you live in a cold area, then ice dams are always going to be a possibility. With the right knowledge, you can make sure that ice dams to not cause any serious problems for you and your home. Here is a basic guide to safely dealing with ice dams:
Understanding the Ice Dam
Ice dams form from a combination of snow on the roof, an improperly insulated attic, and freezing outdoor temperatures. The heat from a poorly insulated attic will melt snow on your roof, causing water to run to the edges and freeze again. As this continues to happen, ice dams form and prevent snow and water from sliding off of the roof. This leaves pools of water with nowhere to go but inside your house.
Preventing the Ice Dam
Preventing ice dams isn’t difficult, but it will require some effort. You should call in a roofer to make sure that your roof is sound and your attic is well-insulated. If your attic is well-insulated, warm air is less likely to escape and cause the snow to melt.
In order to be sure that you don’t develop an ice dam, you should hire a roofer to come out and sweep your roof clear of snow after a major snowstorm. While you may want to do this yourself, it is extremely dangerous and can damage your roof if not done correctly.
Getting Rid of the Ice Dam
If an ice dam develops and your home is in real and immediate danger of serious leaks, there are some short-term solutions that can help. Use warm water to create pipelines in the dam, freeing up some of the water. This is a very temporary solution—the best course of action is to call a roofer, who can take care of the entire dam with pressurized steam and other methods.
If you want to make sure that you don’t develop an ice dam in the first place, then you should contact Apex Exteriors. At Apex Exteriors, specialize in roofing, siding, and widow services. For more about our Naperville, Northbrook, and Glenview area services, call (888) 884-1328 today.
Last updated 20 days ago
The harsh temperatures and precipitation that come with a Chicago-area winter present a number of problems for many homeowners. Here is a look at some common causes for winter roof damage.
Sleet and Wind
That peculiar half-way point between rain and snow is not particularly good for your roof. When combined with the high wind speeds that are not uncommon to the Chicago area, sleet can cause significant damage to a roof, tearing up shingles and driving icy water into your home.
Snow Weight
A light dusting of snow may look nice on your roof, but if you let it build up, it can lead to serious problems. Piles of snow on a roof can become too heavy for the structure, eventually causing the roof to collapse. Hire a roofing specialist to ensure that you do not have to deal with extreme damage that could put you out of your home in the middle of winter. Please remember that this is not a DIY project—standing on an icy roof is dangerous, and getting the snow off without damaging the shingles requires special skills and equipment.
Ice Dams
Ice dams are probably the most notorious form of winter weather damage. An ice dam is a thick crust of ice that forms at the edge of your roof, trapping melting water behind it and forcing the water to escape down through your attic. Leaving this problem unaddressed can lead to catastrophic roof and home damage. To avoid this issue, hire a roofer to make sure that your attic is well-insulated and any ice dams are cleared quickly.
If you’re in need of an excellent roofer, call Apex Exteriors. Apex Exteriors is offers roofing, siding, and window. To get in contact with one of our Illinois or Wisconsin locations, call (888) 884-1328 today.
Last updated 9 days ago
Would you like to learn more about the topics covered in our recent blog posts? If you are looking for resources to ensure you roof survives the winter and get your high heating bill under control, take a look at the links below. Call Apex Exteriors at (888) 884-1328 for more information.
Last updated 1 month ago
The winter can be harsh on the exterior and interior of your home. That is why it’s important to prepare you household for the winter with proper maintenance.
In this video, we learn about ice damming and the damage that it can cause to your home. If there is a lot of snow on your roof left unaddressed, it can create an ice dam. It is most likely to occur near gutters. Be sure to clear ice dams quickly, as they can melt, causing leaks and mold growth.
If you are experiencing roof leaks or ice damming, call Apex Exteriors at (888) 884-1328. We specialize in roofing, siding, windows, and doors in Wisconsin and Illinois.
