Is Ice Backup Ruining Your Roof?

As we always say, Northeast Ohio has some of the harshest winters in terms of how the weather affects our roofs. A common issue that many people end up having is an ice backup, also called an ice dam, that can really destroy the integrity of your roof. 

What is Ice Backup?

During winter, as ice accumulates on your roof, it causes the snow to settle on top of it to stick until it melts. The problem is that once the snow does melt, the ice does not allow the snowmelt to run off the roof properly. Instead, the melted snow seeps into the roof under the sheathing and eventually can leak into the attic. 

Ultimately this causes the wood to rot, your drywall to crack and stain, and other types of damage. 

What Causes Ice Dams on my Roof?

Most of the time, ice backup on your roof is caused by workmanship issues from the roofer who installed, repaired, or replaced your roof. 

West Side Roofing Can Repair Ice Backup

When we have customers who have this ice buildup issue, we open up the roof all the way down to the wood and replace the wood that has been compromised. Once the base is secure, we put down a layer of ice and water shield. These premium ice guards do a really great job of protecting roofs from future leaks and can withstand a lot of pressure from the elements. 

The next step is to shingle match with your existing roof shingles, and once that is done, you can't even tell the difference! We also add flashing in areas to reroute where water or ice might set.

Contact Us

If you notice that your roof has ice backup, or if you see water in your attic, stained or cracked drywall, you might have a leak in your roof. Contact us today so that we can help you restore your roof and keep your home safe! 

You can also learn more about West Side Roofing and the services we offer by watching more videos like this in our video library.