Alberta’s winters have become more unpredictable than ever, catching business owners off guard year after year. With the season starting later and lasting longer, temperatures can fluctuate dramatically—staying unseasonably warm before plummeting into deep freezes. This erratic weather pattern creates the perfect storm for snow to melt and refreeze, leading to hazardous ice buildup on commercial roofs.
For commercial business owners in Edmonton, this freeze-thaw cycle is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a major risk. Ice dams can form quickly, trapping water on your roof and causing costly structural damage.
Don’t wait for disaster to strike.
Stay ahead of winter’s surprises by ensuring your commercial roof is protected. Read on to find out how commercial business owners can evaluate their commercial roofs to identify ice dams.
What Are Ice Dams?
An ice dam is ridges of solid ice that form melting snow that forms when melting snow refreezes along the edge of a roof, preventing water from properly flowing off of it. The melting snow and accumulated ice eventually builds up and overflows.
This overflow will escape into your commercial building. It can damage your business’s walls, ceiling, insulation, and equipment, causing thousands of dollars in damages and creating a lengthy insurance claims process.
Ice Dams vs. Icicles: When You Should Worry
The terms ice dam and icicles are often used interchangeably but are used to define different meanings. Ice dams are formed when the temperature falls below -35 degrees Celsius, and are most commonly found on lower commercial roofs.
The most common causes of ice dams are:
- Poor ventilation and insulation
- Placement of heating in your commercial roof
- Recessed lighting near your commercial roof
Icicles, on the other hand, can be found on the eavestroughs of commercial roofs, and tucked away in the roof edges, even if the roof does not have ice dams. Unlike ice dams, icicles pose less of a threat to the health and safety of your employees, but for the safety of your employees, both ice dams and icicles should be removed by Knights Roofing professionals.
Knights Roofing has a dedicated team of professionals who can help safely remove ice dams before they cause damage to your commercial building. Our team is experienced and capable and can easily provide the solutions your business needs to prevent any disruptions.
How Knights Roofing Can Prevent Ice Dams
Ice dams can be prevented using the following Knights Roofing maintenance methods:
Book Regular Inspections
After a large snowfall, or an ice storm, it is important to inspect and ensure your roof has been cleared of all snow. Keeping snow and ice build-up to a minimum is how you can help prevent ice dams. Heavy snow buildup on your roof can lead to dangerous ice dams, costly damage, and even safety risks. Make sure you schedule a professional roof inspection and preventative maintenance with Knights Roofing.
Allow for Proper Ventilation and Insulation
Prevent costly roof damage by making your commercial building more heat efficient. Proper insulation under your flat roof and throughout your building keeps temperatures stable, stopping snow from melting and refreezing into destructive ice dams. Pair insulation with expert roof ventilation to regulate heat and prevent costly repairs.
Find and Seal Any Air Leaks
Air leaks in your commercial roof let warm air escape, creating hot spots that cause snow to melt and refreeze—leading to dangerous ice dams and potential water damage. Even small leaks can compromise your roof’s integrity and drive up energy costs. If you suspect an air leak, don’t wait—schedule a professional inspection to pinpoint problem areas and protect your building.
Winter’s Freeze-Thaw Cycle is Destroying Roofs—Don’t Let Yours Be Next!
Fluctuating winter temperatures create the perfect storm for ice dams, as snow melts during the day and refreezes overnight, blocking drainage and leading to costly roof damage. This constant cycle weakens your roof, traps moisture, and increases the risk of leaks and structural issues.
At Knights Roofing, we specialize in commercial roof maintenance using expert insulation, ventilation, and leak-sealing techniques to stop the build-up of ice dams before they start. Don’t wait until ice dams cause expensive repairs—protect your roof now with a professional inspection from trusted experts!