How To Prevent Ice Dams This Winter

Ice dams are dangerous, and the best way to prevent them is to keep your roof warm. You can do this by removing snow from the roof periodically, so that any ice melts before it has a chance to build up. Keeping air circulating with an attic fan or ventilation system is another good idea. Finally, you can prevent extreme temperature changes between the interior of your home and the outside by increasing insulation around pipes and vents in cold areas.

The easiest way to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof is to keep it warm when temperatures drop below freezing outside. One easy way to do this is by removing snow from your roof regularly during winter, so that any melting ice has a chance to drain away quickly before it has a chance to freeze. If your attic is well insulated, it will be less likely to absorb heat from your living space and become colder, helping to prevent melting snow from re-freezing into ice dams. You can also keep air circulating through the attic by installing an attic fan or ventilation system.

If you do experience an ice dam on your roof, you can try using calcium chloride pellets to melt the ice, which may help drain water away from the house or at least reduce the weight of the ice dam so that it does not cause damage to your shingles or roof. Additionally, consider increasing insulation in vulnerable areas such as around pipes and vents in rooms that are prone to cold temperatures. This will help minimize temperature changes between indoors and outdoors, which can often be the culprit for ice dams to form.

While it is possible for homeowners to mitigate some of the damage caused by ice dams, dealing with them can be difficult and complex. If your home has suffered roof damage due to an ice dam this winter, it may be a good idea to work with a professional roofing contractor who can assess the situation and offer you recommendations on how best to proceed. They will also likely be able to provide a quote on repairs or replacement so that you know exactly what your options are moving forward.