If you live Denver Colorado, it's likely you've heard the term "ice dam." Most people know they are something you don't want. However, it seems a lot of people's understanding of ice dams stops there.

So what are ice dams, exactly? Can they damage your home? Are they preventable?  To help you understand ice dams and ice dam roof damage, we've put together this helpful article.

What Is an Ice Dam?
Ice dams are bulges of ice that form along the edges of a roof in winter. As snow settles on the roof, warm air from inside the home escapes through the attic and partially melts the snow. As the snow warms and melts, water drains towards the eaves and gutters.

The eaves of a roof generally extend past the exterior walls of the home, meaning they don't get any of that escaping warm air. As the melted snow hits the cold eaves, it freezes. Clogged gutters and downspouts exacerbate the problem, as melting water has no place to drain. 

As winter progresses, the ice accumulating on the eaves builds up, creating large bulges along the edge of the roof. As the ice builds up, it eventually gets large and deep enough to trap water behind it -- hence the name "ice dam."

​Get your mind into the gutter.

No, not cleaning them. Replacing them. Average gutters should last at least 20 years in Colorado, so if you take care of them, this isn't a job you'll have to do often.


​You may be wondering how to know when it's time for a gutters replacement.
It's a simple enough question, but it doesn't have a simple answer. Knowing when your gutters need replacing, as opposed to cleaning or repairing, is something that will come with you learning a bit more about gutters.
That's where we come in. Here, we'll look at when to replace gutters, how to replace gutters, and what new gutters you should get when the time comes.
Hold the ladder, we're going up.