What are ice dams?
Ice dam formation is the result of continuous freezing and thawing of snow due to escaping heat from the house or from gutters being backed up with frozen slush. When this occurs, water may be driven under the roof which may cause ceiling, wall, insulation and gutter damage. See CASMA Technical Bulletin No. 10 (1996) or ARMA Form No. 215-RR-87 (1993) for more information.
Ice dams are most current in northern climates that are subject to heavy snow buildups on roofs. Ice dams occur when this heavy snow buildup melts during the day and then refreezes when temperatures overnight. After several days of melting-freezing cycles, it’s common for the melted water and ice to work up under the shingles until water enters the attic and eventually does damage to the ceilings, walls and contents. The problem worsens because insulation loses its R-Value when it gets wet. In cases where the ice dam goes unnoticed for an extended period of time, there can be significant damage to the building and its contents. What can be done to prevent ice dams? There’s no surefire way to guarantee an ice dam won’t damage your home, but there are steps you can take that will greatly reduce the chances of an ice dam forming in the first place: Each fall, thoroughly clean all leaves, sticks and other debris from your home’s gutters and down spouts. This will allow melting roof snow to
Ice dams are literally dam-like buildups of ice on a roof. They normally occur at the edge of the roof but can occur higher up under certain circumstances. The ice itself is not a problem. What is a problem is that melt water from the snow can form a pool behind the dam. Most roofs are very effective at shedding water. Very few roofs, however, are designed to cope with pools of water. Water backs up behind the ice, seeping up under the shingles until it finds its way through the roof to the attic and living areas below. While usually temporary in nature, the massive roof leaks the dams cause can wreak all kinds of havoc with wiring, drywall, paint, carpet, flooring and interior furnishings. Ice damming can also cause problems for your exterior siding and the wood and insulation behind it. What Causes an Ice Dam? Ice dams occur most often when we get heavy snow followed by below freezing temperatures, but they can occur with just an inch or two of snow. Some part of your roof warms up e
