How Ice Dams Can Cause Toxic Mold in Your Home

During the winter, ice dams can be a real problem in places with heavy snowfall like Aspen, CO. These ice dams are caused by the buildup of snow on your roof, which usually results in water not draining properly through rain gutters. This can cause many issues to your home, including major roof damage and the growth of toxic mold within your home.

Toxic mold is terrible for your health and can grow almost anywhere. Mold can cause a variety of symptoms, including coughing, sneezing and even vomiting. Luckily, there are many ways to remove and prevent toxic mold in your home.

Leaks caused by ice dams

Ice dams block melted water from reaching the gutters along your roof. This can cause the built-up water to leak into your home through the shingles. These leaks can occur in multiple areas and may even travel from your attic to the rest of your home.

Increased moisture caused by roof leaks creates the perfect breeding ground for mold. Mold thrives in high-moisture areas and can quickly become a large problem if not taken care of immediately.

Getting rid of toxic mold

There are several ways one might identify the presence of mold in their home. Mold can produce strange smells and textures in your paint and walls. You might even be able to see the mold itself, as the fungus usually appears as a green, fuzzy spot on your walls and floors. Having a mold test done by a professional is the best way to determine if mold has made its way into your home.

It can be a scary experience to find out that you have toxic mold has in your home, but there are ways to have it removed. There are many home remedies for removing mold that can be found online, but it’s usually a better idea to first have a mold test conducted, then consult with your mold testing professional about proper solutions.

While some forms of mold can be easily removed, major infestations will require more extreme measures, and working with a professional is always going to be your best bet to ensure the job is done right.

Preventing ice dams

In addition to toxic mold, ice dams can cause other major problems for your Aspen, CO home. This is why it’s best to prevent ice dams from ever forming. Since ice dams can cause built-up water to leak through the roof, proper insulation of your roof can prevent certain parts from freezing during a heavy snowfall.

There is also the option of using specialized tools like heated cables to remove the ice. Products like heated cables and heated tape are not surefire ways of preventing ice dams, however. Some people also choose to remove the ice themselves with a specialized tool. Many people recommend ice rakes, as they can usually get the job done without causing any roof damage.

Let the experts at HealthSafe Inspections Inc. perform quick and easy mold testing so you can determine your best course of action. We also provide consulting and mold remediation services, meaning when you partner with us, your project will be in good hands from start to finish.

Categorised in: Mold

This post was written by Writer