Preventing and Dealing with Ice Dams

Ice dams are a common yet serious threat to your roof and your home. An ice dam occurs when a buildup of ice forms at the edge of your roof during the winter, preventing runoff from leaving the roof. With nowhere to go, melted ice and snow can instead penetrate shingles and roofing underlayment, leading to leaks that cause structural and cosmetic damage to your home. Preventing ice dams or dealing with them quickly will not only prolong the lifetime of your roof, it will also protect your belongings and finishes from water damage and mold growth caused by roofing leaks.

Add Ventilation

Ice dams are primarily caused by nonuniform roof temperatures, which allow snow some areas to melt while others stay frozen. Thus, the key to preventing ice dams is to ensure your roof remains a single temperature—this generally means addressing temperature fluctuations in your attic. Adding ventilation, such as ridge vents and soffit vents, can easily address this problem by allowing for improved circulation and temperature control beneath your roof. Your roofing contractor can perform an evaluation of your existing ventilation system to let you know where ventilation could be improved to prevent ice dam formation.

Add Insulation

As an alternative to adding ventilation, improving your attic’s insulation can also help to better regulate your roof’s temperature during the winter. Added insulation will prevent heated air inside your home from reaching the outer layers of your roof, keeping the surface cold to prevent ice and snow from melting and running off. Improving your attic’s insulation can have other benefits as well, such as keeping your home warmer while reducing the load on your heating system to improve its longevity and save you money on your heating bills. Your roofing contractor or local building department can help you determine the right amount of insulation for your home.

Remove Snow

If you already have an ice dam on your roof, addressing it quickly will prevent melting ice and snow from penetrating your roof. One simple method to prevent damage from an existing ice dam is to remove the snow from your roof to prevent runoff. You can use a roof rake to remove snow either from the ground or by using a ladder. Never attempt to remove the ice dam itself by chipping or scraping at the ice, as this can cause damage to your shingles or gutters. If you can’t remove the snow safely on your own, contact a roofing company to handle the issue for you. Your roofing contractor can either rake or steam the snow off your roof to prevent the buildup of melted water and leaks.

Your Fairfax County roofer can help you prevent or address ice dams this winter for a healthier, longer-lasting roof. Click through our website for more information about roofing repair, replacement, and maintenance in the Alexandria and Arlington areas, or check out our most recent news articles for additional tips and information.