What Can I Do About Ice Dams On My Roof

There are several things you can do to avoid getting an ice dam or to reduce the risk of damage after one has formed but there s really only one cure.

What can i do about ice dams on my roof.

You do that by increasing ventilation adding insulation and sealing off every possible air leak that might warm the underside of the roof. Your roof will remain below freezing preventing ice dams from forming. That s when you have to call on secondary strategies and ice dam prevention products to prevent ice dam damage. Adequate insulation will keep the warm temperatures in your home and the cold temperatures outside.

So the first step is to remove this ice and snow using a snow rake which is a retractable rake that can extend up to about 17 feet or so in length. And this may cause water to leak into your attic ceiling or wall soaking your insulation drywall and paint. Ice and water protectors sometimes called ice and snow shields in cold climates are made with polymer modified bitumen. Short of praying for warm weather here are two stop gap measures we recommend.

Getting rid of ice dams for good is simple in principle. You can keep your entire roof at an equal temperature by installing a ridge vent and soffit vents around your roof. Make sure you use soffit and ridge vents that have the same size of opening. If you don t have an attic completely insulate the rafters.

And as a bonus you will save money on your heating bills. Hacking away at ice dams with a hammer chisel or shovel is bad for your roofing and dangerous for you. And some sections of the roof may be impossible to keep cold. Run special ice dam prevention products adhesive ice and water barrier from 3 to 6 ft.

A roof rake and push broom can be used to remove snow but may damage the roofing materials. A combination of better sealing insulation and venting in the attic and eaves. Up the roof from the edge the next time you reroof fig. If left alone the ice dam will continue to be built up by the snow and ice up on your roof.

The best thing you can do is to take steps to help prevent future ice dams from forming. These vents help to circulate cold air under the entire roof eliminating the hot spots and cold spots that cause ice dams. Ice and water protector sometimes also referred to as ice and water shield is a waterproof roof underlayment membrane developed to protect vulnerable areas on a roof from ice and water damage. This eliminates one of the ingredients necessary for the formation of an ice dam.

Ice and water barrier is a type of self sealing underlayment that adheres to the roof decking and waterproofs it. Just keep the entire roof the same temperature as the eaves. The problem is these ice dams can force water up under your roof s shingles.