Ice Damming

With all the snow and melting we’ve been having this winter a lot of homes have been having ice damming MUCH - worse than in previous years.

So what is an Ice Dam and what can we do about them?

Ice Dam effect is a condition that occurred every few years when we get heavy snow or constant snow that builds up and then it rains and freezes, or so much snow is on the roof that the sun no longer melts it and it melts from below due to an overheated attic, usually a result of poor ventilation or less than adequate insulation.


You may have noticed that a lot of houses have icicles right now. The icicles themselves are harmless, but that build-up is forming a dam, which is higher than your gutters preventing melting snow and ice from draining. This blocked water can work under your roofing and into your home.


What Kind of Problems Could You Experience?
If the water works its way under the roofing the water causes a host of problems you can and can't see.

Some of the easiest problems to find include gutters sagging from the weight of the ice, loose roof shingles, and can result in rot. One of the most serious problems you can't see. Water dampens and compresses wall and attic insulation, lowering R-values and increasing heating costs. Even small amounts of moisture feed nasty mold and mildew growths that can affect your health and lead to major structural damage in your house.


What Should you Check and/or Do?
You should make sure your attic has adequate ventilation so any warm moist air reaching the attic space will escape before it melts the snow on the roof. Clean existing gable or ridge vents of insulation or dust, and clear insulation from soffit vents so cool air can be drawn into the attic through the eaves. The ideal condition in an attic is for it to be the same tempeture as the outside air.


Also, make sure gutters are empty of debris so melting water flows down and away from the house. Almar can install Leaf Relief gutter protection so you don’t have to worry about this every year.


If the above measures don't work, you can replace the first three feet of shingle courses (rows) with an ice shield barrier. For new roofs, consider using a rubber membrane instead of felt along the edge of the roof.

If You Notice:
During winter, if you notice snow melting off your roof faster than your neighbor's, you may need to deal immediately with ice damming. The goal is to remove standing snow. For one-story homes, a roof rake is the easiest way. Installing roof heat tape along the lower 1 to 3 feet of the roof also will melt ice. It will add to your electric bill, too, but it's less expensive than letting water get into your home.

Who Should You Contact?
All of these problems can be resolved by your friends at Almar Building and Remodeling Co. Unfortunately it is to late to solve the problem once the ice dam has developed. All that can be done at that point is to chop through the dam and release the build up water.


If you think you have this problem, please call ALmar (781-826-2577) and we will send someone out to inspect the property and see what can be done either right away or at a later date to prevent it in the future.