Oct 22, 2024 · Ice dams can wreck your gutters and roofing and cause interior water damage. Learn how to stop and prevent ice dams from our experts.

What is an ice dam? An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.

Oct 7, 2024 · The key to preventing ice dams is simply to keep your attic and roof cold. After a snowfall, a cold roof will have a thick blanket of snow. A warmer roof, however, will soon have clear spots where the snow has melted off, and may well have icicles hanging from the eaves.

Jan 27, 2024 · Ice damming is the accumulation of frozen water that collects at the edge of a roof after it snows. When the air inside an attic is warm, that warmth can transfer...

An ice dam is an ice build-up on the eaves of sloped roofs of heated buildings that results from melting snow under a snow pack reaching the eave and freezing there. Freezing at the eave impedes the drainage of meltwater, which adds to the ice dam and causes backup of the meltwater, which may cause water leakage into the roof and consequent ...

Nov 13, 2023 · Ice dams are caused by snow melting on an upper, warmer part of a roof, and then that water flows down to the colder eave overhang, where it refreezes. As the ice accumulates, it forms a blockage that prevents additional snowmelt from flowing off the roof.

Jan 24, 2025 · In this article, we’ll break down the causes of ice dams, how to spot them early, and share practical tips for prevention so your home stays safe and warm all winter long. Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof, …

Jan 10, 2024 · Ice dams can cause leaks, weaken shingles, damage gutter systems, and more. Learn how to prevent and remove ice dams to protect your home.

Feb 10, 2025 · How Ice Dams Form. Let’s take a more in-depth look at how ice dams develop. The main cause is uneven roof temperatures. Ice dams occur when you have snow on your roof. The higher part of your roof’s surface needs to be above 32 degrees Fahrenheit while the lower portions are below 32 degrees.

Jan 23, 2025 · Ice damming happens when snow on your roof melts, refreezes, and accumulates, forming a “dam” of ice. This dam prevents additional melting snow from draining off the roof, causing water to back up and potentially seep into your home.