by Wendy Roltgen

Created on: January 12, 2010   Last Updated: January 26, 2010

Icicles are beautiful , but many homeowners are unaware of the destruction these cherished symbols of winter can cause to their home. Icicles are often the first warning sign that an ice dam is forming on the roof and putting the home at risk for extensive water damage and costly repairs. Luckily, homeowners can avoid roof damage by taking a few steps long before winter strikes and by keeping a watchful eye on the roof for forming icicles when winter is in full swing.

 Ice dams form in the winter months due to cycles of freezing and thawing. If there is heat escaping from the home into the attic,  the roof warms causing any snow on the roof to melt. During extremely cold temperatures, the snow melts and runs down towards the roof edge and freezes forming an ice dam. If a roof has a large amount of snow, the water continues to become trapped behind the ice dam and freeze. As ice builds up it may accumulate under the roof shingle and potentially cause water damage to the home interior when it melts.

One of the best ways to prevent an ice dam is to minimize heat loss from your home into the attic. Proper insulation in the attic helps keep roof temperatures colder which minimizes the melting of snow during cold winter days. Homeowners who experience frequent ice dams should strive to install insulation that meets or exceeds the R-value recommended for their region.   When insulating a roof, avoid placing too much insulation in the overhang sections of the roof.  The additional insulation will keep this already colder section of the roof even colder, inviting ice dams to form.

Another way to avoid ice dams is to prevent warm air from leaking into the attic. Before winter arrives, install weather stripping around the chimney, vents, wire and staircases to minimize warm air escaping into the attic. 

 Ventilation also plays a role in preventing roof damage from ice dams. Proper ventilation allows heat to escape from the roof and in turn brings in cool are which helps keep the roof cold. Homeowners should work with ventilation professional to determine if their roof is utilizing enough ventilation.

In the winter, homeowners should address ice dams as soon as they begin to form.  Use a roof rake to remove excess snow from the roof.  Removing the snow from the lower four feet of the roof also helps slow the growth of an ice dam.  If a large ice dam has begun to form on the roof, homeowners can chisel a channel into the ice dam to allow the water to flow more freely from the roof or consult an expert who specializes in removing ice dams. Taking care of an ice dam when it first begins to form can help prevent costly repairs to the roof and home interior and unwanted water damage.

Ice dams and winter don't have to go hand in hand. By properly insulating and ventilating the attic, homeowners can avoid destructive ice dams long before the first snowflake falls.

Learn more about this author, Wendy Roltgen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.