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Are Icicles a Sign of Ice Dams on Your Roof?

Icicles hanging off roof.

You may be asking: what do icicles have to do with ice dams? Well, they’re actually a sign that you might be dealing with an ice dam. Ice dams are a major problem for homeowners, as they can lead to expensive repairs. You may not see the damage from the ground, but if you notice icicles, there is probably an issue with your roof, and you should call a professional ASAP. 

Here at JM Roofing and Siding, we have an entire breakdown of what ice dams are, how icicles can clearly indicate this issue, and how we can help. 

What Are Ice Dams?

Ice dams are a common problem for many homeowners. When ice and snow on the roof melt, they often run down to meet warm air that is leaking into your home through unsealed gaps in the roof. This creates pools of water that can cause damage or ruin items inside your house.

Can Icicles Be a Sign of Ice Dams?

Icicles may be a clue of where you have an ice dam on your roof because it shows where there is melting occurring and pooling water. Icicles grow in this cold environment, which is why they’re such an obvious indicator that there’s a problem with the temperature balance in your house. They start as tiny crystals and gradually get bigger, forming long spikes as we see on roofs all around our counties during the winter months.

Common Ice Dam Issues

As more snow falls, the weight pushes down against the frozen ice dam, causing it to push water up under shingles, leading to rot and mold problems. So if you’re still seeing icicles in your yard this winter, there’s no need to panic — just make sure that you’re keeping an eye on the area and calling a professional for help if you notice any signs of damage. 

How To Prevent Ice Dams

With all the snow and freezing temperatures we’ve been getting lately, it’s best to take precautionary measures to stop ice dams from forming in the first place. Three of the most common ways to do this are:

  • Updating your home’s insulation
  • Removing snow from your roof
  • Installing gutter helmets

In general, the most important thing is to keep your whole roof at the same temperature. When roofs are poorly insulated, warm air can become trapped and create ice dams. Luckily, our team is ready to help. 

Roofing Experts of Norwalk

Our team of experienced and professional roofing contractors looks forward to serving Connecticut residents’ roofing needs. We can thoroughly examine the roof, identify the underlying problem, and make the needed corrections. Homeowners who notice any preceding concerns are urged to contact us as soon as possible.

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What Roofing Material Can Take on Snow the Best?

Snow on roof

The winter season is in full swing, and with it comes the snow. As you’re getting your home ready for the winter, don’t forget about your roof! We’ve all seen the pictures of roofs collapsing under the weight of snow. As we continue into the rest of this season, you should ensure your roof is prepared for another onslaught of snow. The best way to do this is by choosing a roofing material that can take on heavy snow well and not collapse. And here are some of the best materials to choose from. 

Weaker Materials

Some materials like wood shake and asphalt shingles aren’t as good at taking on heavy snow because they don’t offer much weight-bearing capacity. These roofing materials are often more recommended if your house doesn’t see too many winters or if you live in a warm climate where there isn’t too much snowfall. As for Connecticut, we tend to get more average snowfall during the winter season than other northeastern states. Still, not as much as, say, in upstate New York or Maine. 

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs have a very high thermal resistance, meaning they won’t get cold and brittle during the winter months. They also have excellent wind protection qualities that will prevent your home from being damaged by high winds when Mother Nature throws her worst at you!

Slate Roofs

Known as one of the most durable roofing materials out there, slate roofs are sure to be able to handle heavy snow or blizzard conditions. However, similar to metal roofs, they are entirely immune to issues. Unseen cracks or breaks in the material could lead to water damage or ice dams. 

So, it’s essential you keep an eye on your roof this winter season and contact the professionals as soon as you notice a problem arises! 

Roofing Experts of Norwalk

When it comes to ensuring your roofing lasts and is safe for your family, you need to hire the best contractor possible. The JM Roofing and Siding experts are licensed and insured to serve you in Norwalk, Connecticut, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free estimate!

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How Frozen Gutters Can Lead to Roof Leaks

Ice forming on the gutters from freezing rain

The winter months are almost here, which means freezing temperatures are just around the corner. And with freezing temperatures comes frozen gutters. There are many leaking issues this can cause, ones that you’ll need to keep in mind during coldest days. Here are some problems that will lead to leaks and what you can do to prevent this. 

Ice Dams

Frozen gutters are dangerous because they cause ice dams on the roof. This causes water to leak through your ceiling and get trapped under insulation. The ice will also form on top of your insulation, which can make it sag or crumble away completely.

Broken Gutters

The water that sits in the gutter, slowly freezing over time, expands as it freezes, which causes cracks in the metal. This creates small holes on the underside of your roof, which allows ice and snow to build up. Eventually, this will become heavy enough to break through the surface of your roof!

Melting Snow

The process of freezing and thawing can cause major issues for your roof. The constant freezing and thawing causes water to seep into the cracks of your roof, which can lead to leaks. The problem is that once the ice melts, it often leaves behind some debris that can block gutters or cause them to overflow when the rain begins again. This overflow then leads to more water damage on the ground around your home’s foundation, not just on the roof itself.

Roofing Replacement in Norwalk, CT

When you need your roofing system replaced so it is safe for your family, you need to hire the best contractor possible. The JM Roofing and Siding experts are licensed and insured to serve you in Norwalk, Connecticut, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free estimate!

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Can Siding be Installed in the Winter?

Home roof with a little snow on it

The question of whether or not it is possible to install siding in the winter can be a difficult one. Winter weather presents several challenges for installing new siding. You’ll want to consider a few factors before making your final decision, and we have all the important ones ready for you to think about! 

Companies May be Limited

Winter might not be the most suitable time for a siding installation because many companies have limited or no work crews available in the winter months. This can lead to longer waiting periods for installation, which means more time without protection from the elements. 

Check in with your installer and see if they can give you an accurate timeline of when they believe they could have the job done — that way, you’ll know if it’s the right time.

The Weather Can Make the Job Harder

Say your installation team is working on your siding one day when suddenly cold, light snow begins falling from above. Firstly, wet and cold weather will make working conditions very uncomfortable, so workers may need to return on a better day. Secondly, snow and ice can pose problems with installation: shingles will get stuck together, and freezing rain could lead to water damage if left unchecked. And lastly, if it begins to precipitate outside while your siding is exposed or not ready to protect your interior, it could mean long-term damage to your home! So timing this project is key. 

The Benefits to Installing Your Siding in the Winter

While the reasons mentioned above make winter seem like not the best time to get your new siding installed, know that there are a few benefits to choosing this season for your project. 

Siding is one of the most effective ways to protect your home from weather and outside debris damage. Installing new siding on the house during the winter months will keep you warm inside because of less airflow through open windows.

So, if it’s been a while since you last updated your siding and you notice a few issues with its structural integrity, it’s recommended that you take advantage of the end of fall and early winter to get this project started. Since, as we saw above, the more intense part of the winter season won’t be the best time to get your installation done. 

Contact Us For New Siding Installations in Norwalk

When it comes to ensuring your siding lasts and is safe for your family, you need to hire the best contractor possible. The experts at JM Roofing and Siding are licensed and insured to serve you in Norwalk, Connecticut and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free estimate!