BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The temperature is rising, and while that may be great for people sick of at looking at snow, the melt is causing problems in a place where we like to stay dry - our homes.
"As ice grows on your roof, it's water. It’s going to find a way to grow somewhere. As it freezes, it backs up, it works its way into your shingles,” said Buffalo Energy Construction Project Manager Mark DiMartile. “You have nail holes, you have all kinds of things where it’s going to find its way in."
DiMartile said a lot of his clients with this issue have called roofing companies who, unfortunately, aren't giving the best advice.
"I've been in houses where people already signed contracts for new roofs in the spring who legitimately don't need a new roof,” DiMartile said.
If you're concerned you're going to have to replace your entire roof, Buffalo Energy said to just look up. If there is an ice jam, then heat loss is likely to blame for the buildup and subsequent leaks.
"Cable, if people run speaker wire, those are holes put in your ceiling," said DiMartile. "When you're putting holes in your ceiling, you're creating a chase for heat to escape in your attic.
"Once your attic surpasses the freezing mark, you end up melting off whatever is on the roof."
Buffalo Energy crews use thermal imaging to scan an attic for heat loss and fix it using blow-in insulation and cellulose to air seal the space. It should put an end to the leaks, ice jams, and reduce utility bills.
However, DiMartile said if heat isn't escaping into the attic and water damage persists, get multiple estimates before shelling out the cash to put a new roof over your head.
"Get through this melt off period and see how it handles a good, solid rain. If you have water coming into your house after a rain and you do leak, then you might want to call a roofing contractor to come out and fix it at that point,” said DiMartile.