Ice Dam: Know The Main Causes
Many parts of the world have to deal with snow regularly. Under certain conditions, an ice dam can build up and cause major issues that must be dealt with properly. If your area is at-risk for ice dams, it is helpful to know the ways in which they occur.
If you do not live in an area prone to lots of snow,
you may not have any idea what an ice dam is. It occurs when there is a block of frozen water, behind which more water gets stuck and builds up over time. There are various causes of this type of issue, depending on where it occurs.
This problem can happen on a river that happens to be located in a colder area. A frozen river does not always thaw evenly, and when the upstream area thaws first, chunks of ice may get taken to parts of the river that are not yet thawed. This can create blockage that is often a problem when it is located in populated areas. Such dams have to be cleared, usually with dynamite.
Another problem that sometimes occurs with rivers is when a glacier flows down one that is unfrozen. Suddenly, the water is blocked by the glacier, sometimes causing rivers and attached lakes to overflow. This often happens repeatedly in the same area, resulting in almost annual floods. Some areas also now feature dry land that is carved a certain way by the flooding time after time, causing a tourist attraction.
A single house or building can also suffer from an ice dam. This happens when snow builds up on a roof of a building or home with bad insulation. Warm air often leaks from the structure through a number of areas, eventually melting the snow into water. As that leak into the gutter, it often freezes once again, building up on the structure. It is easy to observe a building or house with poor insulation, as icicles are often hanging from the roof.
The wood often rots, the roof leaks, and the paint and drywall usually both start peeling or cracking, making it obvious how destructive an ice dam can be for a business or residence.
If you do not live in a cold area, you will likely never have to deal with this type of issue. However, many tourists find this phenomenon interesting enough to seek out as the weather starts to warm up. If you do live in a part of the world where this issue occurs often, it is wise to learn about it, and then contact a professional to fix it. Otherwise, it could result in costly repairs to your house, or even danger to those nearby.
