Do you have ice dams on your roof?  Some homes will get a small buildup of ice at the end of the roof, but some have a wall of ice that backs up the roof and causes significant problems inside and outside of your home.

            Many people think that the installation of a new roof with ice and water barrier at the eaves will prevent ice dams. WRONG! Ice dams are caused by poor ventilation and/or poor insulation in your attic or area just below your roof. Ice and water barrier can help prevent water from entering your house through the roof, but it will not prevent dangerous ice dams from forming.

WHAT CAUSES ICE DAMS

            Ice dams are the result of heat radiating up through your roof. In the winter this heat warms the snow on your roof and causes it to melt. As the water runs down the roof towards the edges of your roof it will start to cool off and re-freeze. As this cycle occurs daily, the ice dam will continually build up. Here is were the “dam” part comes in, the build up creates a wall of ice (the dam) and the melting water runs down the roof, hits the dam and starts to create a puddle of water.  Depending on the surrounding temperature, if the water starts to freeze it will contribute to a growing ice dam on your roof. If the water has not frozen yet, standing water will look for a means of escape, hence it will leak under the shingles and if you have no water barrier, the water will seep onto the wood deck of the roof. At this point your roof deck can become saturated with water and the water will leak into your house through cracks in the wood and nail holes.

            Some people comment that they have ice and watershield and that will stop the problems. This is similar to putting your finger in the dam, you are temporarily blocking the problem. Unless you have 100% ice and water coverage on your roof, as the ice dam grows, it will push up the roof past the area covered and enter your roof. This is not recommended for that amount of ice will create a great weight on your roof.

Furthermore, a roof needs to breath. 100% ice and water barrier is like wrapping your house in plastic, any moisture inside your home will not be able to dry out. This can create mold and mildew and potential health problems.

            Another problem is the gutters on your roof. Gutters can become clogged with leaves and sticks that create barriers so the water cannot run out. In the winter, clogged gutters easily freeze over and often is the starting place for ice dams. Additionally, ice clogged gutters become very heavy causing gutters to pull off the house and potentially damage the fascia.

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY ICE DAMS

            Water and moisture in your home is a serious matter. In addition to the obvious damage in your home, once it becomes visible to you, it has done some serious damage to the internal parts of your roof and walls. Water in these areas often will not dry out properly without your help. Standing moisture will lead to the growth of mold and mildew which can lead to air quality problems in your home.

            If you have or had leaking in your home, make sure to check that the area inside walls, ceilings and roofs are dry to insure you continue to have a safe and healthy home.

SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS

            As usual, things happen at inconvenient times. Once you discover a problem related to ice dams, it is difficult to enact a fast solution to eliminating the problems that cause ice dams. Here are some temporary solutions:

WARNING!

Any person on the roof during the winter or performing work on the roof from below is risking injury and risking damage to the roof and house. It is important to contact professionals to carry out this job. Make sure the people who perform these services are fully insured for damages to your home and for injuries that may occur due to the dangerous nature of the work and the environment.

LONG TERM SOLUTIONS

Insulation

            A permanent solution should be sought to eliminate ice dams. First, install the proper insulation so that the heat inside your home stays there and does not leak into your attic. In many cases homes will for the most part have adequate ventilation, but heat “leaks” into the attic through entrances, heat vents, even with ceiling recessed lighting.

            First make sure any entrance is well insulated on the attic side. Doors, pull down stairs and whole house fans need to have insulation installed so that heat cannot seep through into the attic.

            Heating ducts running through the attic also needs to be well insulated as well as recessed lighting. Use extreme caution with insulating recessed lighting. Unlike the other examples, recessed lighting gives off a great deal of heat. Placing the insulation too close to the fixture can potentially cause a fire.  If recessed lighting is a problem, call a lighting and/or insulating professional to recommend a safe, proper way to insulate your lighting.

Remember: Heat escaping not only causes ice dams, but also raises your heating costs.

Ventilation

            Your house needs to breathe. Proper ventilation allows for heat and moisture to be removed from your attic to keep it cool and dry.  Remember, during the winter your attic should be as cold as the air outside. Every house needs to have ventilation in a couple of key spots, starting with soffit vents and a ridge vent. These allow for a flow of air from the bottom eaves of the roof up through the ridge at the peak.

            Take the time and go into your attic, first make sure you can see outside light in the areas where your soffit vents are, if you have them. If you do not see light, the insulation may be pushed over the vents. Also, if you find rusty nails or rust spots on your insulation (caused by moisture dripping off the roof nails), frost build up or a lingering musty smell, these are signs of inadequate ventilation. Even with the ventilation described above, it may not be enough. Often times you will need the addition of gable and roof vents and possibly a power roof fan.

            If it is suspected that you have a problem, it is best to get an estimate from a professional. Many offer free estimates and will detail out the problem areas and suggest solutions.

FINAL NOTES!!

            Ice dams are a problem for a great many home owners. They should be taken seriously for they can cause damage to your home and shorten the longevity of your roof. Lack of the appropriate insulation and ventilation can quickly degrade your shingles. Lastly, many of the processes described above can be dangerous and should be preformed by a professional.