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Roof Protection

What causes ice dams?

Ice dams occur after a heavy snowfall is followed by very cold weather. As heat escapes from your house through the attic, snow on the roof starts to melt and trickles down the eaves. An icy crust then forms, keeping the wind from blowing snow off the roof. This process continues until a dam of ice has formed. The ice then expands and backs up closer to the warm roofing. It melts again and finds its way under the roof shingles, ultimately causing damage to the interior of your home as well as the roof.

How can ice dams be prevented?

You can help prevent roof and interior damage to your home by doing the following:

Use a roof rake (a tool specially designed for removing snow from roofs) to remove as much snow as possible from your roof. If the problem persists, hire a professional to shovel your roof.
Inspect and clean your gutters regularly.
Insulate the attic floor to help keep the attic roof cold. Your goal should be to keep it as cold on the underside of your roof as it is outside.
Be sure vents are not blocked, and cold air is flowing along the underside of your roof.

Remember, a cold attic does not melt snow as quickly as a warm one.

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