Ice Dams on Your Roof: How you can Stop Them

For those who’re lucky sufficient to reside within the Sunbelt or another balmy area, chances are high you’ve by no means heard of — or at the least skilled — ice dams.

I, however, reside in New England, so each winter, ice dams are as widespread — and as welcoming — as frostbite and sub-zero temperatures.

That’s as a result of ice dams may be problematic, damaging, and just about unimaginable to take away as soon as absolutely shaped.

Ice Dams: Stunning, However Problematic

Paradoxically, ice dams are sometimes accountable for one of the lovely and iconoclastic of all winter photographs: glistening crystal-clear icicles hanging from gutters and eaves.

Heck, even I marvel on the delicate great thing about icicles — however solely once they’re hanging off another person’s home.

So, what causes ice dams?

All of it begins with a roof blanketed in snow. The snow layer sitting instantly on the roof begins to soften, and water runs down the roof below the blanket of snow.

When the water hits the overhanging eave of the home, it begins to freeze. Some water drains into the gutter, the place it freezes as nicely.

Because the snow continues to soften and water freezes on the eave, ice ultimately builds up alongside the roof, forming a thick ridge or dam.

Then, as water runs down the roof, it’s blocked by the ice dam, and compelled up the roof.

I do know it appears to defy all legal guidelines of physics (and commonsense), however water will truly circulation up the roof, working its approach below the shingles.