Get the Facts on Ice Dams

When you live in New England, you just get used to ice dams. But you probably shouldn’t get too used to that ridge of ice on the edge of your roof. The longer it sits there, the more likely you are to face drainage problems that can ultimately damage your roof. Plus, all that pressure sitting up there can lead to leaks or irreparable decay. (Not to mention the liability you have when huge icicles are hanging off your home.)

Start at the Top

Somewhat counterintuitively, the best way to battle the ice is to make your home colder. If there’s heat in the attic, it will melt the snow at the top of the roof, where it then has a chance to run down to the cold eaves and freeze there. When it comes to roofing safety and care, you can never discount the importance of ventilation. Ideally, you need the entire exterior of your home to be roughly the same temperature to prevent ice. Often homeowners have thick insulation in their attic, which can block the amount of airflow that the roof gets. Insulation baffles can be installed to push back the insulation and provide the roof with better ventilation.

What You Can Do

The best way to ventilate is still in debate amongst even professionals, so it would be difficult to do this job correctly on your own. For example, ridge vents may seem like a practical solution because it allows warm air from the attic to rise into the winter chill. However, the vents need to be uncovered for this to happen, which is often impossible with the heavy snowfall of the New England winters. You should note where your biggest problems are, and then call a professional.