Ice Dams on a Roof

Ice dams on a roof can be a big problem that can go unnoticed but if not taken care of. It can cause severe damage to your roof, gutters system, eaves and even cause leaks into the home.

Who doesn’t enjoy seeing the winter icicles hanging from the eave of a roof? These great looking icicles are caused by melting snow dripping down from the roof and before falling to the ground this freeze back up. This can happen from a warmer winter day but it also can mean you have other problems. Have you ever noticed how the snow builds up near the eave of a roof? This is caused by the snow melting from trapped warm attic air. As the melted snow runs downward it re-freezes it when it gets to the overhang because the attic is no longer underneath it. This thaw and re-freeze over and over again, in a few weeks actually creates a dam made from ice and keeps the melting snow from exiting off the roof.

With a new blanket of snow, these ice dams get covered up and just become larger and larger, where it can cause big issues. One of the main concerns is the gutter system being torn off the fascia due to the weight and force of the moving ice. The unseen concern is the damage to the shingles or roof covering. As the water freezes, it has tremendous strength and can get under the shingles and in a few years dislodge them. Moisture intrusion can damage the inside of your home, so keep an eye out for water stain near the walls and ceilings closest to the eaves. If you see condensation or drips of water, you should call a roofing expert to do an inspection. He will be looking for proper ventilation and attic insulation.

How do I stop Ice Dams? Since the problem comes from attic heat melting the snow, this means the home has trapped hot air in the attic, low insulation levels at the ceiling, or a poor attic ventilation system. The NRCA { National Roofing Contractors Association } advises balanced attic ventilation be in place to remove the warm air, not just for summer heat but also to limit warm air from forming condensation and ice dams in the winter months. The living space loses heat and travels upward into the attic. It is impossible to stop it but with a few systems in place, it can be controlled. This keeps the snow on your roof from melting and limited to the natural sun rays. Heat cables to meltdown ice dams and or ice and snow removal should be done only by a professional.

It is advised to seek a local licensed roofing contractor for help with ice dams since heights and slippery ice is the formula for a bigger problem than a few icicles.

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