Ice Dam Prevention On A Roof

The most hard-hitting problem we face during extremely snowy winters is that of ice dams. They cause permanent damage to the structural integrity of the buildings.

Before we find solutions on preventing the formation of ice dams, we should understand how they were formed. Simply, ice dams are just snow trying to escape. In the winter, when the roof over the attic is warmer, snow along the surface of the roof melts and flows. In an ideal condition, it would drain out through the gutter. But, when the eaves or overhangs of roofs have much lower temperatures, the molten snow freezes again and builds up a barrier preventing more flowing snow from falling out. That is a form of an ice dam. Over time, the ice dams force the water to seep into the roof and walls that often caused permanent damage.

There are two approaches on eliminating the ice dams. The immediate approach would be to remove the ice using roof rake or push broom. You should avoid using sharp instruments like axes to break the ice. This could damage the roof shingles. You could also mark grooves in the dams for the water to drain off.

The other approach consists of a clear strategy of preventive measures. You must be well prepared for ice dams in snow prone areas. Roofing is often a neglected component of a house or a building. A good roof consists of ice and water barrier, rolled asphalt underlayment and quality roofing shingles.

Either due to carelessness or due to ignorance of building basics, one ends up with the problem of ice dams. The solution lies in compensating for the high temperature in the attic. Therefore, we should install additional insulation by laying over existing ones. You must refer to the prescribed local insulation standards. There are two limitations of this method. Once the optimal insulating value of the material for the given area is achieved, decrease in heat loss is not significant. Insulation cannot be used over certain types of fixtures and vent fans.

To overcome the limitations of insulation, you must adopt better ventilation techniques. Ventilation prevents heat to build up in the attic. It eliminates water vapor, which could condense and cause rot on wood and rust on metals. You could replace small window vents with larger ones. The other two-pronged strategy for ventilation is soffits and ridge vents. Soffits are vents installed on the eaves. Ridge vents run along the peak of the roof. Cold air entering through soffits rises along the ridge vents and cools the roof. Another method of preventing ice dams is using heating cables. The main disadvantage is that they work only if power is on and there are no ice dams over them. Besides, they cannot be kept running on an ongoing basis because they might wear out.