Important Facts About Ice Dams

​Ice dams are an unfortunate reality of living in a cold-weather state.  Ice dams can cause a lot of damage because they are blocks of ice that have formed in your gutters after a snowfall.  Actually, during and after a snowfall the accumulation on your roof can be warmed two separate ways and can lead to snowmelt.  

​First, the sunlight can refract through ice crystals of snowflakes, which will start to melt the snow.  Second, the heat from inside of the home can escape through the attic and warm the roof, which also causes snowmelt.  When the melted snow reaches your gutters, it can then turn into ice.  
 
So, the process of thawing and then refreezing is what causes ice dams to grow in your gutters.  Ice dams can lead to water backing up under the shingles of your roof, where it can lead to damaging the roof decking, or the walls and ceiling of your attic.  And, while the process of an ice dam forming is taking place, most of the damage that will occur can’t be seen for several days.  
 
Because of this, we wrote a list of facts about ice dams to help you protect the integrity of your gutter system.  

Little Known Facts About Ice Dams

1. It does not take a lot of moisture to form an ice dam.  Even though heavy snowfalls can cause ice dams to form more quickly, any amount of snow can cause an ice dam to form.
2. Ice dams can form with little to no snow accumulation.  The big issue is not snowfall, but ice and freezing temperatures.
3. Gutters are not the only places ice dams can form.  Ice dams can form on the edge of your roof if the home has no gutters.  This is why it is so important to have functioning gutters for your house.
4. Your gutter system can be damaged by ice, even without the formation of ice dams.  Ice is heavy and can block your gutter, so make sure to remove any icy deposits in your gutters.  
5. Ice dams can cause damage even if they are on the small or thin side.  The slope of the roof determines this, a steep roof is generally fine with a thin or small ice dam.  But, a lower-pitched roof can be significantly damaged by an ice dam that is even an inch thin.  
6. To recognize an ice dam, look for icicles hanging from your gutters.  Ice dams are not always visible from the ground.  They can also form in hard to see places like skylights.  

How to Prevent Ice Dam Damage

​To prevent ice dam damage, perform regular maintenance on your heating system.  Keep the attic cool to minimize the amount of snowmelt.  
 
Make sure the floor to your attic is properly insulated and that the attic is well ventilated to maintain an optimal roof temperature.  Make sure the ceiling of the attic is sealed, so no hot air leaks out.  Finally, if you are worried about ice dams, call a professional out to take a look ASAP!