During the winter season, the threat of ice damming on roofs is possible.
What is ice damming? These are the thick ridges of ice that build up
along roof edges and gutters during freezing outdoor temperatures.
Heat loss from your home, mostly from poor insulation in the attic, is the main cause of ice dams. When snow on a roof’s surface (that is above freezing) melts, that water flows down and reaches a portion of the roof that is below 32 degrees fahrenheit (often the gutters) and freezes. This water continues to build and freeze, creating a dam.
These dams can loosen roof shingles, tear off gutter systems, and cause water to back up and leak into your home! These issues cause a mountain of other problems within your home as well, including warped floors, sagging ceilings, peeling paint, and mold.
Let’s explore how to prevent ice dams:
Remove snow from your roof with the help of a roofing professional.
Use a snow rake, and remove the snow before it has time to melt.
Use heated cables
Heated cables help to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof shingles. By using these cables, you can increase the temperature of your roof’s edge. Attach your cables in a zigzagging pattern along the roof’s edge and secure with clips. This is best done prior to the cold weather season.
Increase the amount of insulation in your home’s attic to prevent heat loss and improve energy efficiency.
Upgrade your home’s ventilation - this will vary depending on your home.
Already have ice dams built up on your home? Here is how you can get rid of them, with the help of a professional roofer:
It should be important to note that you never want to try and break the ice up with a hammer or chisel, this can cause damage to your roof and can be potentially unsafe for yourself. In addition to manual removal, the use of harsh chemicals can also cause damage to your roof.
If no leak has entered your attic - Use hot water
Gently pour hot water over the ice dam, allowing the ice to melt and drain out through the gutters
If a leak has come into your attic - Use a box fan
To temporarily stop a leak from an ice dam, place a box fan in your attic pointing to where the water is coming in. This allows the water to refreeze until you can make a more permanent repair.