Ice Dams: A Winter Challenge for Homeowners

January 10, 2025||inPersonal Insurance|home maintenance, homeowners insurance, ice dams, personal insurance, winter

Ice dams are more than just an inconvenience—they can cause significant damage to your home. While prevention is the best strategy, ice dams can still form despite your efforts, so having a response plan is crucial. Ice dams occur when attic air warms to above freezing, causing snow on the roof to melt. As the water runs down the roof and reaches the colder edges, it refreezes, creating an ice dam. These dams block water from draining off the roof, causing it to pool and seep under shingles, into the attic, or along exterior walls.

Ice Dams
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Statistics on Ice Dams

  • According to industry reports, 1 in 4 homes in colder climates experience ice dams each winter.
  • Poor insulation and ventilation contribute to 80% of ice dam cases, making prevention measures essential.

How to Prevent Ice Dams

1. Keep Your Roof Cold

  • Ventilate Your Attic: Proper ventilation replaces warm air with cold air from outside. Ridge vents, soffit vents, or gable vents can help maintain a cool attic temperature.
  • Seal Heat Leaks: Identify and seal areas where warm air escapes into the attic. Common penetration points include:
    • Exhaust fans
    • Ceiling light fixtures
    • Plumbing vents and heating ducts
    • Chimneys
    • Attic hatches or pull-down stairs
    • Electrical cables
  • Insulate Living Spaces: Add insulation to prevent heat from escaping into the attic.

2. Remove Snow Safely After a snowstorm, use a roof rake to remove snow a few feet back from the roof’s edge. Stand on the ground and pull the snow down gently to avoid damaging shingles.

3. Maintain Gutters Clear gutters during fall to ensure water can drain freely. While clean gutters don’t eliminate ice dams, clogged gutters can worsen the problem by trapping water and debris.

What to Do if You Get an Ice Dam

If you notice water stains on your ceiling or walls, act quickly:

  1. Remove Snow from the Roof: Use a roof rake to clear snow above the ice dam, pulling downward to avoid damaging shingles.
  2. Relieve Backed-Up Water:
    • Some suggest gently chiseling small grooves in the ice to allow water to escape. However, avoid damaging shingles, which are brittle in the cold.
    • Avoid using rock salt, as it is corrosive and can harm your roof and nearby vegetation.
  3. Consider Calcium Chloride:
    • Fill a nylon stocking with calcium chloride ice melt and place it perpendicular to the roof edge to create drainage channels.
    • Be aware that even calcium chloride can be corrosive to certain materials.

Safety First: Never climb on a snowy or icy roof due to the risk of falling. If using a ladder, follow safety instructions carefully.

Professional Help

For safe and effective removal, hire a professional. Improper techniques can cause personal injury or damage to your roof.

Note: Murphy Insurance is not a roofing expert and cannot guarantee results from these measures. Consult a qualified contractor or roofing specialist for the best solutions for your situation.

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