Ice Dam Prevention

"DAM ICE" 

What is an ice dam?

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.

IT'S NOT YOUR ROOF!

ICE DAMS ARE TYPICALLY AN INSULATION/ VENTILATION ISSUE


Ice dams can cause: 


What causes ice dams?

Nonuniform roof surface temperatures lead to ice dams! 

     This occurs when the temperature of the upper portion of the roof rises due to heat escaping from the living space of the home and rising to the top of the attic. This heat will warm the roof boards and prematurely melt the snow. The melted snow flows down to the overhang where it refreezes and builds up, creating an ice dam. The dam grows as it is fed by the melting snow above it, but will limit itself to the lower, cooler portions of the roof that stay below 32F. The water, unable to flow freely off the roof, backs up behind the ice dam, rests on the warmer sections of the roof and remains a liquid. This water then backs up under shingles or finds any cracks or openings in the exterior roof and flows into the attic space. From the attic, it could flow into exterior walls or through the ceiling insulation and into your home.

How to deal with an Ice Dam

1. Remove the snow from your roof. This is what is fueling the ice dam.

2. In cases of excessive ice build up, you can carefully chip larger sections with a hammer being careful not to damage the shingles. 

3. The safest way to remove the dam, without damaging your roof, is by melting channels through the ice so water can flow freely past the dam. We have found placing a melting agent in legs cut off pantyhose and laying them lengthwise down the roof, helps hold the agent in place and allowing them to cut channels into the ice. We recommend using calcium chloride but please note this may be hazardous to pets.

What is the solution? 

1. Add Insulation

    Adding insulation to your attic and knee walls prevents the heat from your home escaping into the attic which is prematurely melting the snow and leading to the ice dam. Attic Experts and Consumers Energy recommends attics be insulated to R60.

2. Proper Ventilation

     Proper ventilation will remove any residual heat up and out of the attic, keeping your attic close to the ambient air, and reducing the potential for ice dams. 

3. Air Sealing

     Air Sealing and covering recessed lights help ensure all warm, moist air stays in your home and does not escape into the attic 

4. Covering Heat Ducts

     Insufficiently insulated heat ducts can radiate heat into your attic which can lead to premature snow melt on your roof. 

How to prevent Ice Dams:


EXPERIENCED AND PROFESSIONAL

Attic Experts has over 20+ years of experience in the prevention of Ice Dams. We bring that knowledge and dedication to quality to every project we perform. We are a licensed and insured, family owned and operated business, servicing the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas. As a Consumers Energy Preferred Contractor and Certified Mold Remediator, you can count on us. Let us conduct a FREE thorough inspection and detailed evaluation of your attic. We’re the one to call for your ice dam prevention!