Your Business vs. Ice Dams

1/3/2018 (Permalink)

It is often hard to know what kind of weather Missouri will bring during the winter months. Our winter of 2017-18 has brought us more snow already than in the entire winter of 2016-17. Having these previous "off-years" can make business owners unprepared and forgetful of how harsh mid-western winters can become. We remember to start our company vehicles a little earlier and salt our sidewalks. We prepare for employees to have to stay home more during snow days with their children. But what are the things we can't see that could put your business in jeopardy? Things such as Ice Dams can be a little known, but major problem during the snowy season. They form when heated air melts roof snow downward into water dammed behind still frozen ice. When the trapped water cannot safely flow or run into the gutter system, it can back flow under the roof's shingles and into the business's interior areas, as well as causing gutter and shingles to move or fall. Icicles can be an initial sign of an ice dam, according to Travelers.com. To spot ice dams inside "check for water stains or moisture in your attic or along the ceiling of exterior walls of your building. Water stains or moisture may be an indication that an ice dam has formed and water has penetrated the roof membrane.