Winter is just around the corner, and so is the ice damming season.

This means you need to find effective ways of avoiding ice damming in warehouses to ensure your business runs smoothly. You may like how the icicles look hanging from your warehouse’s roof but beware as they spell trouble.

Ice dams can loosen shingles, tear off gutters, and cause water to accumulate and pour into your warehouse. This is the perfect recipe for a business nightmare: warped floors, damaged goods, peeling paint, and sagging ceilings. Ice damming also makes the attic insulation saggy, which attracts mildew and mold.

The following signs indicate you have an ice dam.

• Snow melting high on your warehouse’s roof
• Water dripping and freezing down the property’s exterior
• Collapsed or sagging snow-filled gutters/roof draining problem
• Water-damaged ceiling, wet insulation, peeling paint, and damaged plaster

In this post, we’ll discuss some proven ways of avoiding ice damming in warehouses. 

6 Tips for Avoiding Ice Damming in Warehouses

Thankfully, you can prevent ice dams from forming on your warehouse’s roof with a few simple tricks. These are:

1.    Increase Insulation over the Ceilings

This is one of the best methods of avoiding ice damming in warehouses. If your ceilings are non-combustible mineral fiber, installing fiberglass batt insulation will be a huge step up. This type of insulation will also work if the ceilings are drywall connected to wood joists.

During the installation of fiberglass batt insulation, if you see a paper facer, make sure you put the paper side down.

2.    Schedule Regular Inspections of the Roof Draining System

You must have a well-thought-out roof preventative maintenance plan if you want to prevent ice damming in your warehouse.

Have a team of experts check the draining system on the roof to ensure the proper flow of gutters, drains, downspouts, and scuppers. Make sure all of these structures are free of debris and vegetation.

3.    Invest in Heated Cables

Installing self-regulating, heated cables around roof drains on gutters and downspouts is an excellent way of avoiding ice damming in warehouses. The power of these cables adjusts itself according to the temperature of the surrounding area.

Heated cables are attached along the roof’s edge with clips in a zigzag pattern. They work wonders to prevent leaks and shingles caused by ice dams.

This cost-effective solution equalizes your roof’s temperature by heating it externally instead of blowing cold air from the inside. Make sure you install these cables on the roof before the bad weather hits.

4.    Improve Ventilation

Another foolproof way of avoiding ice damming in warehouses is taking the ventilation game to the next level. The simplest way to go about this is by installing electric power vents with thermostats.

Apart from this, you should consider insulating the recessed light fixtures directly under the roof to prevent the constant release of heat into the attic. Look out for visible light in the attic – if you can see it, you’ll have to reseal or reinsulate the light fixtures.

5.    Prune Trees Hanging over the Roof

If you have trees hanging over your warehouse’s roof, you must prune them regularly. An accumulation of tree leaves and branches may clog the rood draining system or hinder the flow, increasing the risk of ice damming.

Disclaimer: trimming tree branches hanging over the roof can be a dangerous job. Make sure you follow all safety protocols or, better yet, hire a professional for the job.

6.    Remove the Snow

If your warehouse has a history of ice damming, you’ll have to invest extra efforts into removing the snow from the roof. A roof rake works fine for single-story buildings with a steep-sloped roof system. You can pull the snow down the roof slope while remaining on the ground. Make sure you don’t pull the snow sideways or back against the slope, as it may cause it to accumulate under the cover and break shingles.

Also, be extremely careful if you have to climb the roof to remove the snow. It’s recommended to call a professional, licensed contractor for the job.

Expert Water Damage Restoration and Mold Removal Services – 911 Restoration of Chattanooga

If the ice damming situation in your warehouse has gotten out of hand, you must reach out to restoration experts right away to limit roof damage. Ice dams trigger mold growth and cause water damage, compromising the quality and integrity of your structure.

At 911 Restoration of Chattanooga, we offer a free property inspection alongside unbeatable water damage restoration and mold removal services. Our experts will get straight to work the same day you reach out to us to prevent further roof damage. They have advanced training to handle all levels of mold growth and water damage. Using top-notch equipment and techniques, they’ll nip the problem in the bud and ensure your peace of mind.

Feel free to call us for more information regarding our water damage restoration and mold removal services.