How Thawing Snow and Ice Can Create Water Damage in Your Chicago Home

3/8/2019 (Permalink)

Icicles are often a sign of ice dams.

Ice Dams and Water Damage Restoration for Your South Chicago City Home

Snow covered roofs in South Chicago City can form ice dams as they melt and refreeze this winter. With the warmups that have occurred, water damage is a concern for many homes. Ice dams can cause water to back up and go under the shingles and into your home, causing damage to your drywall and ceilings. In these situations, prevention is critical to avoid costly repairs.  

If your South Chicago City home has already experienced water damage due to ice dams, you need the immediate help of our professional staff at SERVPRO. We are an experienced remediation company who can dry your home out and repair the damages that the ice dams have caused. The faster you pick up the phone and contact us the better, as the water leak continues to harm your home until it stops.  

In a case like this, you’ll likely have hidden water damage inside your walls and ceiling. Therefore, SERVPRO techs use special moisture sensors that can detect the hidden leaks, which allows us to restore your home thoroughly. If we did not do this and any water is left behind, it causes mold growth, making a big problem even more significant. Once we find where all the issues are, we can begin drying and restoring your home. Industrial fans and dehumidifiers help to dry your structure and the air and remove all the excess moisture.  

To prevent ice dams in the first place, begin by keeping your gutters clear of debris and leaves. Check and seal any areas that can allow warm air to leak from your home to the attic such as chimneys, exhaust fans, vent pipes, light fixtures, and attic hatches. You should also get your attic and roof inspected for insulation and proper ventilation. Inadequate signs of ventilation include rusty nails, rust spots, or mildew smell.  

Do not let snow accumulate on the lower three to six feet of your roof. For extra protection, you can install ice and snow slides to stop the ice and snow from bonding to the lower portion of your roof. Installing rubberized water and ice shields under the roof shingles for the first three to six feet, and heating cables along the eaves help to melt any ice.  

If your home in Riverdale, Morgan Park or South Deering has been the victim of ice dams creating water damage inside, SERVPRO of can Evergreen Park/South Chicago City help whenever you need us. Give us a call at (773) 337-3900 as soon as you realize there is an issue so we can take care of everything for you and prevent further damage.

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