How Ice Dams Contribute to Mold Growth

4/12/2019 (Permalink)

Ice dam on a St. Charles, MO building

What Happens to Your Building After a Snow Storm?

During severe weather, your St. Charles, MO, business may be more likely to experience damage to its premises. One thing that can cause a problem is the formation of an ice dam. This seemingly innocent product of melted snow can cause costly damage. Here is what happens to your building after a snow storm.

1. Snow Melts and Forms Ice on the Roof and Gutters

During a snow storm, quite a bit of snow can accumulate on your building’s roof and gutters. Heat from inside of the building or from the weather warming up can cause the snow to melt and then reform as ice. The buildup of ice can prevent the rest of the snow from draining properly as it melts, which can cause damage to your building.

2. Water Leaks Into Your Building

As the snow begins to melt, because the ice dam prevents it from draining, it can begin to trickle down inside of the walls of your building. As this continues, it can cause damage to walls as well as create the right conditions for a fungus, such as black mold, to form.

3. Mold Begins To Form

As the water creates moisture inside of the walls, fungus can begin to grow within the day. After just a short period, you might be left with a big problem that requires professional mold cleanup. The mold will continue to spread as long as the moisture is not removed. If you believe that a growth has formed, you should take action immediately.

Mold spreads very quickly, so the best way to keep your building mold-free is to remove the snow and ice from your building before it causes any damage. If you are unable to do so and an ice dam causes leaking and mold, you should hire a mold remediation service to take care of it as soon as you can.