The Link Between Ice Dams and Mold Damage

4/28/2018 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO a call if you notice mold in your home or business.

During winter months, ice may have a habit of accumulating on the roof of your commercial property in Levittown, PA and eventually, this ice melts. When it does, if it trickles between the shingles instead of running off the side of the roof, it may refreeze and form an ice dam. Ice dams can cause leaks in your building, and these leaks can prompt the growth of black mold.

How Ice Dams Happen

Ice dams accumulate when heat from the attic escapes through the roof, melting the snow or ice on the outside. Several factors in your building’s attic can contribute to the possibility of this happening:

• Poor ventilation
• Inadequate insulation
• Leaks in air ducts that cause excess warmth

Clogged gutters on the edge of your roof can also keep water from being able to drain properly, trapping it on the roof where it refreezes into an ice dam. When it melts, the water seeps into the roof and can leak into the ceiling, walls and insulation. This becomes a potential breeding ground for black mold.

How a Mold Problem Starts

Excess moisture is mold’s favorite home. Mold can start to grow in as little as 24 hours from the time water invades places it is not supposed to be. Warm air exacerbates the problem and speeds up the growth. This deteriorates the wall or other building material where the problem occurs. If you suspect that your commercial property has mold from water damage, remediation specialists in Levittown, PA can ensure that the mold cleanup process is completed thoroughly.

If an ice dam forms on the roof of your building, it is likely to lead to water damage that hosts mold growth. Prevention is the best cure. Make sure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated, and keep rain gutters free of debris. If, however, you end up with mold, your local remediation specialists can help by fixing the problem. Visit http://www.SERVPROlevittown.com for more information on mold.