Exterior Home Improvement Lansing MI
Roofing CompanyGutters and Gutter Guards • Siding • Windows and Doors • Insulation
Exterior Home Improvement Lansing MI
Roofing CompanyGutters and Gutter Guards • Siding • Windows and Doors • Insulation

What Causes Ice Dams and 3 Ways to Prevent Them

What Causes Ice Dams and 3 Ways to Prevent Them

It’s easy to be beguiled by the beauty of icicles hanging from the gutters and roof eaves; they can look like crystal jewels glistening in the sunshine. However, in many cases, they could be a warning sign of trouble. Icicles may indicate that there’s an underlying problem with ice dams that require urgent attention before water seeps into the house.

Ice dams are literal dams made of ice that typically form at eaves and gutters, blocking snow and ice-melt from leaving the roof. These dams are often caused by a temperature imbalance in the attic. As warm air rises in the house and makes its way into the attic, the upper portion of the roof may warm faster than the lower portion at the eaves. If the upper portion becomes warm enough (above 32°F) to melt snow, while the lower portion remains below 32°F, snow will melt, flow down the roof, and refreeze before it can flow off the edge. This can be compounded by naturally rising ambient temperatures during the day and falling temperatures at night, creating a dam that holds the remaining water, snow, and ice on the roof.res at night. What results is a dam, which will hold the remaining water, snow, and ice on the roof.

There are two main causes of this kind of temperature imbalance:

1. Poor attic insulation. Insufficient or deteriorated attic insulation can allow warm air to move from the heated areas of the house to the attic space.

2. Lack of proper attic ventilation. Properly balanced attic ventilation helps slow snow melting by allowing cold air to enter the attic space, in turn driving out warmer air. This reduction in warm attic air helps decrease the chance of snow melting on the roof.

ice dams

Why are ice dams a problem?

Almost all roofing materials are designed to shed water. As ice melts and refreezes, it can damage the shingles and other parts of the roof system. And when a growing ice dam pushes water back up the roof slope, that water may flow under the shingles and penetrate into the roof system or house below. That’s why GAF factory-certified roofers will always recommend a layer of strong protection like WeatherWatch® or StormGuard® Leak Barrier. These products help prevent leaks due to water backing up in your gutters, wind-driven rain, and, of course, damaging ice dams. They are self-adhering membranes that seal around fasteners and other protrusions in the roof, helping to protect the most vulnerable areas of your roof against leaks.

What can I do about ice dams?

Here are 3 steps you can take to prevent ice damming this winter:

1. Remove snow from the roof. Depending on the size and accessibility of your roof, you can use an extendable snow roof rake to (carefully) pull fresh snow off the roof before the melt-and-freeze cycle even begins. Snow and ice removal can be dangerous work, though, and if done improperly you might risk injury to your shingles – or more importantly – yourself! We strongly encourage you to engage the services of a professional to assist with snow and ice removal.

2. Ventilate. Ensure you have a properly-balanced attic ventilation system that allows fresh air to continuously move through the attic space under your roof.

3. Insulate. Proper attic insulation will do more than prevent ice dams; it can also help reduce your heating costs by keeping warm air in your living space, where it belongs

Identifying areas with insufficient insulation and addressing ventilation problems are among the many services that Streamline Enterprises offers. We understand the importance of a comfortable and energy-efficient home. Our team of experts is equipped with the latest tools and techniques to identify areas that need improvement, and we offer a range of solutions to meet your needs and budget. Whether you need insulation installation, air sealing, or ventilation upgrades, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can improve your home’s comfort, efficiency, and ensure you have the proper insulation to avoid ice dams.

Streamline Enterprises is an Independent Contractor, not an Employee or Agent of GAF.  See the full article.