![]() All you need are some supplies and a ladder to reach your roof (with a stabilizer bar for safety).Ģ) A bucket (bag) of Calcium Chloride ice melt.Ĭut the “leg” part off the stockings, and fill them up with 2-3 pounds of ice melt and tie the ends. In most cases, they don’t require hiring an electrician or a roofer. Note: Ice dams never happen over unheated spaces, such as sheds, garages, porches, etc. The number one place for ice dams is your roof eaves, but they can happen in many other spots. ![]() You can use this guide to check for ice dams yourself. Here is a map of where ice dams are most likely to occur. Most common ice dam locations on your roof Because every house is different, ask a roofer which solution would work best for your roof. This is why there are so many various cheap and expensive ice dam prevention systems out there. However, due to structural and architectural limitations of most homes, its not possible to improve roof venting and insulation 100%, to the point where ice dams will no longer be an issue. Moreover, kitchen and bathroom exhaust systems that terminate just above the roof can also cause these warm regions that melt the snow on the roof.Ĭonsequently, the best way to resolve all ice dam problems and make sure they never come back is to improve both your insulation and ventilation. Heat can escape to the roof naturally through convection (hot air rises to the top), as well as through air leaks. The main reason for these uneven heat spots in your roof is lack of proper attic insulation AND roof ventilation. What this means is that if your entire roof was always cool, you would not have any ice dams. These temperatures need to be sustained over a long period of time in order for the ice dam to solidify and grow. How do ice dams occur?Īn ice dam can form when certain parts of the roof get warm enough to melt the snow on the roof, while the roof edges remain much colder, and as a result prevent the melted snow from flowing down the roof.įor an ice dam to form, the “warm” parts of the roof generally need to be higher than 32 degrees F, while the “cold” areas of the roof need to be below 32 degrees F (this means that the outside temperatures must also be below 32 degrees F). Conversely, the flatter your roof, the more susceptible it will be to ice dams. In general, the steeper your roof, the more thick an ice dam would have to be to cause damage. Sometimes this backed up water can travel as much as 5-10 feet under the shingles. As even more water runs down, it now has nowhere to go, so it backs up under the shingles, and leaks into your roof. As the snow melts, water runs down the roof, and when it gets to the edge (eaves) of the roof which are cold, it once again freezes.Īs more and more water freezes along the eaves, ice builds up, creating ice dams. Snow starts to melt in certain areas of the roof, which are warmer than others, due to heat loss from the attic. Once this thick ice forms, it prevents melting snow from running off the roof. Avalanche is easy on the back, and can be used by older homeowners!Īn ice dam is a solid ridge of ice that forms along the edges of your roof. One of the most efficient tool to do this is with a snow rake like the Avalanche. If you have lots of soft fresh snow on the roof, it’s best to remove it before it melts and subsequently freezes, forming ice dams. Here are 10 the best, tried and true products that you can use to eliminate or minimize ice dams. ![]() Prices in Massachusetts during “snowmageddon of 2014” went above $1400 for a roof snow removal! However, average ice dams / roof snow removal will set you back at least $750. If you are a DIY inclined homeowner, you can buy and install most of these products yourself, or hire a contractor. To avoid all of these potential troubles, it is essential to focus on preventing ice dams. Problems with an ice dam roof can vary greatly: from torn off gutters and falling shingles to peeling paint, ruined flooring and stained ceilings, if the water gets into the house.Īnother highly undesirable consequence is wet attic insulation, which will likely loose its R value, and cause serious mold issues. Have you noticed large icicles forming along the eaves of your roof? This may be a sign that your roof may be at risk for ice dams and all the associated damage that they bring. Standing Seam Materials & Cost Calculator.
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