NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — With Tennesseans seeing temperature swings following Friday’s winter storm, AAA issued a warning about ice dams , which can damage your roof, as well as the inside of your home.
“Ice dams are more common in northern parts of the U.S., but they can form anywhere there are drastic temperature shifts,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It’s important to know what you’re looking for, because this can lead to costly repairs to your attic, walls, ceilings, insulation, and flooring.”
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Officials said you can spot ice dams by looking for icicles that form along the edge of your roof and/or gutters, as well as ice developing along the overhangs of your roof or filling the gutters.
AAA offered the following explanation for how ice dams form and the hazard it poses to houses:
- Heat inside the house enters the attic and melts snow on the roof.
- The melted snow drips down the roof and re-freezes when it reaches the colder eaves (the part of the roof that overhangs the wall).
- As more melted snow travels down the roof, it starts to re-freeze sooner, pushing its way under the shingles.
- The water finds holes in the roof decking — between sheets of plywood or around nails — and begins to drip into the attic.
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“Once the water is inside your house, it can cause paint to peel, floors to warp, and soggy insulation. If that water is left unattended, it could lead to mold and mildew,” Cooper stated. “Additionally, ice dams may cause some damage to the roof by loosening shingles, rotting the wood or tearing off gutters.”…