What are ice dams?
Ice dams are shelves of ice that form along the eaves trough of your home during the winter and are often accompanied by icicles hanging from your roof.
What causes them?
When warm air escapes into your attic, the roof warms up. Eventually, the snow sitting on the roof melts. The melted snow flows down the roof slope until it reaches the cold overhang where it freezes. Over the course of a winter, more ice compounds in your eaves troughs which creates ice dams. Eventually this dam will force the water back up under the shingles and into your home. In addition to roof and water damage, ice dams may cause metal fasteners corrode, mould and mildew to form, and even your house’s frame can be damaged.
How do I prevent ice dams?
Properly applied insulation and vapour barriers, combined with appropriate attic ventilation, will dramatically improve your situation. Once upgrades have been made, you will notice a significant improvement in performance. But to truly put an end to your ice dam woes, there are some preventative maintenance items to note. Shingles should always be installed with proper ice and water shield underlays as a last line of defence against standing water. We also recommend routine rooftop snow removal throughout the winter. Above All Insulation has a dedicated snow and ice dam removal program, offering complete insulation support!
Who Cares?
We do! Ice dams can be an absolute nuisance to your home. They’ll dislodge roof shingles, cause gutters to sag, damage to your insulation, and leave water stains on interior ceilings and walls. They’ve got to go!