Preventing Ice Dams In New England

What is an Ice Dam, and why do they occur?

Ice dams usually occur after a heavy snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures.

Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and will warm the underside of the roof, causing snow and ice on the top to melt. The melted water will drain along the roof, under the snow, until it reaches the cold overhang. The overhang tends to be the same temperature as the outdoors, and the melted water will refreeze and form an ice dam and icicles. The ice dam can cause damage to the roof, which will result in water leaks to the inside. Frequently the result will be a water spot on the ceiling under the roof damage.

What can I do to Prevent Ice Dams?

Don’t heat the roof to prevent an ice dam; keep it cold.

That way, the snow on the roof eventually dissipates without making large amounts of meltwater. The underside of the roof deck should not exceed 30 F. The best way to maintain low temperatures is by ensuring that there is adequate insulation. Start by sealing gaps that let warm air pass into the attic from the house. The attic must also be ventilated so that cold air is introduced into it and heated air escapes rapidly. Some remodeling contractors are under the impression that heat passing through the attic helps prevent ice dams. When just the opposite is true. Although excess heat moving from the attic through the roof rapidly melts the snow. It quickly freezes and forms an ice dam once the meltwater touches the cold eaves. If your roof is prone to ice damming during the winter, you can use a snow rake on your top to remove snow.

What do I do if I suspect an Ice Dam?

Clear the roof right away; as long as the dam is still there, water will flow into the home.

We do not recommend that you get on the roof yourself; we recommend hiring a roofing contractor to remove the dam due to safety issues. Once the barrier is removed, we can dry out the affected area to prevent mold growth. Once the affected area has been dried, you should take steps to prevent it from happening again; see above.

If you are experiencing an Ice dam in the New England area, give us a call!