Ice Dams

One of the unfortunate side effects of winter weather is that it creates conditions that can cause damage to your home. One of these conditions is a buildup of snow which, when exposed to the warm air escaping from an attic vent can create cascades of ice coming down from the gutters and edges of your roof. This ice builds up in your gutters, and when the snow melts, the water cannot drain properly. This creates what's called an ice dam.

Ice dams can cause significant damage to walls, ceilings and insulation inside the home, as water seeps inside the structure and wreaks havoc. While masses of icicles dangling from the edge of a roof is the hallmark sign of an issue with attic ventilation, it takes very little moisture to form an ice dam.

Simple home maintenance can help prevent ice dams and subsequent damage to the interior structure. Making sure your attic has adequate insulation and sealing all potential heat leaks is the simplest and most effective way to prevent an ice dam before it starts. Once the dam actually forms, ice melt or snow melt socks, when placed on the roof line near the gutter, can help open up a channel to drain the excess melt safely away from the structure. Finally, making sure gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves, dirt and debris can assist in safely draining water away from your home.