(NEWSCHANNEL 3 video) – Snow and ice can be blamed for a lot of problems in winter, including ice jams on people's roofs. ..."The two main causes of ice on the outside of homes are a lack of ventilation and a lack of insulation in the attic. Ries says there are a few things homeowners can do to stop the ice, like putting vents in their roof. But, for those who already have ice forming, a trip to the hardware store to pick up a roof rake or calcium chloride tablets can help."...
Snow and ice can be blamed for a lot of problems in winter, including ice jams on people's roofs. The snow melts, then refreezes, and fills gutters on the eaves, and that can cause some big problems.
As you drive around most neighborhoods in West Michigan, you'll probably be able to see lots of ice hanging from the roofs. Roofing experts Newschannel 3 spoke to say that's a sign of trouble lurking below.
Paul Blessing knows the importance of keeping his roof clear of snow and ice.
"Anytime you have three, four, or five inches of snow, then I rake it off," said Blessing.
Blessing doesn't want to wind up like so many other homeowners in West Michigan, with icicles hanging from their roof and gutters. Local roofers say that's a good thing.
"What's happening is the snow at the top flows down and starts to freeze and you get to a point where it leaks into the house," said Martin Ries of Advantage Roofing.
The two main causes of ice on the outside of homes are a lack of ventilation and a lack of insulation in the attic. Ries says there are a few things homeowners can do to stop the ice, like putting vents in their roof. But, for those who already have ice forming, a trip to the hardware store to pick up a roof rake or calcium chloride tablets can help.
"We've got a couple of ways to go about it," said Brad Rowgo of Gale's Hardware. "Roof rakes would be your first line of defense, get the snow off of there up as high as you can toward the peak."
Raking the roof is a simple step that Paul Blessing hopes will save him from big repair bills down the road.
"It's a very long term thing," said Blessing, "the damage is caused long term, so it's a short term fix that can prevent it."
Experts say no matter what fix homeowners choose, it's important to get rid of the snow and ice before it causes damage to the inside of the home.
SOURCE: Newschannel 3 video
