Watch out for ‘Ice Dam’-age!

Ice Dams are large formations of ice (sometimes visible as large icicles) on the lower edge of the roof or in gutters. They usually occur when large amounts of snow have collected on the roof. Heat, which escapes from the inside of your home into the attic, warms the underside of the roof.  This causes the snow-pack to melt and water to run down the surface of the roof toward the gutter. When this melted water reaches the cold outer edge of the roof, it freezes.  As this cycle of melting and freezing continues, a large mass of ice – an Ice Dam – can form on the edge of your roof or gutters.

The added weight can cause structural problems, and the repeated freezing and melting can cause damage to the shingles and other roofing materials which in-turn may allow water to leak into the attic and interior of the home. Once the water makes it through your roof there are some significant problems that can occur including: wet insulation, damage to drywall, rot, paint damage, and more.

There are a number of solutions and prevention methods available. The most simple solution is to ensure ice build-up is removed from the lower edge of your roof and your eavestroughs.  If you think you may have a problem with ice damming, contact a roofing professional as soon as possible to discuss which solution is right for you.