Addressing Ice Dams

Icicles may be pretty, but when they form as ice dams it can mean structural damage and other costly problems for your home. One or two inches of snow accumulation, coupled with sub-freezing and above freezing temperatures, is all it takes for these harmful ridges of ice to build up on roof eaves.

What causes ice dams?

1. Snow accumulates on the roof
2. Heat escaping through the attic melts the snow
3. The cold air refreezes the melted snow into solid ice
4. 

What does that mean for your home?

As ice dams take shape, heat from inside the house travels though the attic, warms the roof and melts the snow outside. The melting snow runs down the roof until it reaches the cold roof edge where it refreezes. Ice dams can then force water to back up under the shingles and into the ceiling or walls of the house. If left untreated, this can lead to warped windows, buckling floors, and collapsing drywall or plaster.

How can you prevent them?

The best way to prevent ice dams is to stop them from forming in the first place, and to do that you need to identify where your home is leaking air and letting heat escape. Don’t worry, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(R) has your back. You can learn more about a home energy assessment here and schedule yours today.

Simply contact a certified Trade Ally contractor. They are ready to perform a home energy assessment and fix the problem areas. Cash incentives are also available for eligible home improvements.