What is ice damming, and how can I prevent ice dams on my roof?
An ice dam is a buildup of ice along the eave and in the gutter of your home. Ice damming occurs when the sun (or heat from your home, in the case of a poorly-insulated house) melts melts snow on your roof, then the resulting water travels down to a colder portion of your roof. As the meltwater travels to a colder portion of the roof, it re-freezes, accumulating along the eave and in the gutter, preventing subsequent meltwater from traveling through the gutter and away from the home. Ice damming can cause any number of problems with your roof, including broken shingle seals, bent gutters, roof leaks and ceiling stains. While ice damming cannot be prevented completely, a home that is well-insulated and effectively ventilated will experience far fewer ice dams than one with minimal or no insulation and insufficient ventilation. If you’ve seen long icicles on your home, it’s a sure sign that your insulation and ventilation could be improved.
