Ice Dams
Prevent damage and protect your home
What are ice dams and what causes them?
Two things are necessary for ice dams to form: snow on your roof and temperatures below freezing (32°F). Any areas of your roof that are warmed to temperatures above freezing will cause the snow to melt and refreeze as it reaches the colder roof edges, forming a ridge of ice known as an ice dam.
Heat loss
Heat loss can be the result of many things and is the most common cause of ice dams. The warm air in your home or heat transferred from your chimney to the attic space may escape through cracks or gaps in drywall, light fixtures, plumbing and other ceiling penetrations or through inefficient insulation.
Exhaust fans like the ones in kitchens or bathrooms may also melt the snow if they’re not vented outside your home. Any heat that escapes will warm areas of your roof, melting the snow and ultimately lead to the formation of ice dams.
Damaging effects
Once ice dams are formed, they will prevent additional snowmelt from draining off presenting a number of challenges for homeowners.
Roof leaks
Any additional snowmelt will back up behind an ice dam, flow under the shingles, and into your house. Interior leaks can damage your ceilings, floors, insulation and walls. They can also promote mold growth if any wet areas aren’t properly dried out.
Exterior damage
Ice dams and the removal of them can damage your shingles and gutters. This damage can also result in interior leaks.
Care and prevention
Warning signs
Here are things to look for to determine if your roof is at risk for an ice dam:
- Icicles appearing on the edge of your roof or behind the gutter
- Ice building up on the top of the gutters or lower edge of your roof
- Ice coming through the vents or seams in your soffit
- A water stain on your ceiling
Immediate action
- Immediately dry out any damp or wet areas inside your home.
- Remove the ice and snow from your roof and eaves. If you live in a one-story home, you could use a roof rake or broom to remove the snow safely while standing on the ground. It’s not recommended to climb on your roof and shovel your roof yourself. Stay off the ladder and instead hire a snow removal company.
Prevention
- Seal any cracks or gaps that may allow warm air to escape through your ceiling and warm your roof.
- Ensure you have adequate attic insulation and consider adding more. Insulation with a high R-value per inch is most efficient.
