For those of you who are starting to become fed up with the endless bugs and insects, coupled with the hot and humid weather, the good news is that fall is right around the corner. This means that it’ll soon be cozy season as the nights close in, and temperatures begin to fall.
While cooler weather can make life more comfortable, it does mean that winter won’t be far behind. Winter may have its perks, but as a homeowner, the prospect of snow, ice, wind, rain, and freezing temperatures for months on end can send a shiver down your spine, both literally and metaphorically.
Winter weather for a homeowner can lead to all manner of structural and aesthetic issues, especially when it comes to your roof. Damage to your fascias and soffits is virtually unavoidable during the winter for some, with ice dams in particular, proving especially harmful.
But what exactly are ice dams, how do they damage fascias and soffits, and what can be done to prevent them? Let’s take a more detailed look, shall we?
What are Soffits and Fascias and What Do They Do?
While you probably pay them little attention, the soffits and fascia boards on your home’s roofs are about so much more than curbside appeal and general aesthetics.
Soffits and fascias help to protect the structural integrity of your roof and help to hold everything in place, including the guttering. Roof fascias are long and straight boards that run along the edge of your roof vertically, where the roof meets the wall. They help to keep the roof tiles in place, stabilize the guttering, and protect against leaks and pests.
As for the soffits, these are located underneath the roofing eaves (roof overhang) and stretch from the outside wall of your home to the bottom of the fascia. They too help to provide structural integrity for the guttering, while boosting the aesthetic and appearance of your roof by covering and hiding any exposed roof rafters.
While they come in a variety of different materials, more commonly, you’ll find that they’re made from UPVC, aluminum, and wood. The material that your fascias and soffits are made of will play a huge role in determining just how much maintenance they require each year, and how susceptible they are to harsh winter weather.
What are Ice Dams?
Okay, so that’s the basics covered with regards to the soffits and fascia boards on your home, so now let’s get down to business. Specifically, let’s look at one of the biggest threats to your home’s roof during the winter, the dreaded ice dam.
Ice dams are, not surprisingly, common in the colder, winter months, especially in places that are prone to harsh winters where winter weather such as snow and ice is fairly common. As the name suggests, an ice dam basically functions as a dam which is made from ice. It is a thick ridge of ice that is located along the edge of your roof, usually around the guttering, soffits, and fascia boards.
Ice dams form during periods of heavy snow. As snow falls and begins to accumulate on the roof, heat from within the home rises and heats the roof from underneath. As a result, the bottom layer of snow begins to melt and the snow and water slide down the roof, toward the guttering.
As the melted snow moves closer toward the edge of your roof, namely around the fascia, soffits, and guttering, it is much colder as there is less residual heat from within the home. The melted snow then begins to refreeze, and build up once more, forming a dam.
The problem here is that fresh snow on the roof melts, slides down, and the cycle repeats itself. Eventually, the ice dam grows and becomes heavier and heavier. This is when damage to your roof is a real concern.
How Ice Dams Destroy Fascias and Soffits Every Winter
Once an ice dam forms on the edge of your roof, it will need to be taken care of as soon as possible. The longer it is left, the more damage it can do.
Not only can the weight of an ever-growing ice dam put pressure on the fascia, soffits, and guttering, but it can also potentially damage roof tiles, or even cause the roof to cave in in extreme cases, especially if the roof was already in a weakened state.
As more water becomes trapped in the dam, it can back up and find its way into your home via the roofing tiles/shingles, through the roof itself, through tiny holes, and anywhere else it can get in. Not only can this lead to leaks, it can also cause the roof to rot.
As for the fascias and soffits, they too can become damaged, especially if they are made from wood. Excess water can cause them to rot, or to potentially become moldy. Fascia, soffits, and gutters made from weaker materials will also buckle, break, and come away from the roof much easier. The more weight that is placed upon them, the more pressure will be placed upon the brackets and fasteners holding them in place.
Warning Signs of an Ice Dam
During the winter, it’s important that you stay vigilant and keep a close eye out for any warning signs of ice dams. The earlier you can detect them, the sooner you can take action.
Here are a few ice dam warning signs to watch out for:
- Visible ridges of thick ice or snow along the edge of your roof
- Leaking inside the home
- Signs of water damage in the home
- Damaged guttering
- Visible signs of damage to the fascia
- Visible signs of damage to the soffits
How to Prevent Ice Dams
Finally, now that we’ve looked at how to spot an ice dam, let’s look at how you can prevent them to protect your home’s fascia boards and soffits:
- Prevent warm air from escaping from your home up onto the roof
- Regularly have your fascia, guttering, roof, and soffits inspected by an expert
- Take care of any potential problems as soon as you spot them
- Have your roof professionally cleared of snow
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast
- Have waterproof underlayment installed to insulate the roof and protect against water damage
