Protect Your Commercial Building This Winter

If you own a commercial building, you know it’s important to keep the roof in good condition. But did you know that ice is one of the most damaging causes of roof damage? An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms on the edge of a roof or in the gutter system. Ice dams form when the snow melts due to heat loss from inside a building and refreezes on the roof’s edges, resulting in potential damage to the roof membrane.

Ice Dam Prevention Tips

Have Adequate Insulation: The best way to prevent ice dams is ensuring you have adequate insulation in your building. This will keep the heat inside, limiting the heat lost and preventing snow from melting too quickly on your roof.

Clear Debris Buildup: Ensure all scuppers and downspouts are clear and unclogged as this can prevent water from draining correctly and contribute to ice dams forming.

Remove Snow From Roof: Have snow cleared from the roof after heavy snowfalls. The goal is to have as little snow and ice as possible on your roof, reducing the likelihood that melting snow will create ice dams.

Install Heat Cable: On the roof’s edge and gutter system install heat cables. This allows accumulated snow to melt before it has a chance to freeze.

Ice Dam Removal

If ice dams have already formed on your commercial building, it’s not too late to protect your building from the damage they can cause. Removing ice dams will reduce the risk of damage to your roof, gutters and building. Ice dam steam removal is the safest and most efficient way to remove ice dams.

Ice dam problems on a commercial roof can be damaging and costly to repair. The best approach is to be proactive rather than reactive. The initial investment can be steep, but it’s essential to protect your commercial building’s roof against damage caused by ice.