If you’re wondering what causes ice dams and how to prevent them, it all starts with understanding what is happening on your roof during winter. Montana locals are no strangers to ice dams that develop when snow melts higher on the roof. It runs toward the colder edge and freezes again. The problem is once that ridge forms, additional meltwater can collect behind it instead of draining off the roof. All of that that trapped water can start pushing beneath shingles and contribute to roof leaks, wet insulation, ceiling damage, and other problems.
Our team at Dennis General Contractor works on safe ice dam and snow removal for your property. We’re focused on services that protect your home for the long-run. Here’s what to know about ice dams and how to keep them from damaging your roof.
Why Do Ice Dams Cause Roof Leaks?
An ice dam acts like a barrier at the bottom of your roof. When meltwater comes down from above, it doesn’t have anywhere to drain normally, and begins pooling up behind the ice and growing bigger. Todays’ roofing systems are designed to shed water downward, but they aren’t meant to hold standing water against shingles. Water can eventually reach vulnerable areas of your roof beneath and enter into the system.
Our team at Dennis General Contractor has seen leaks damage roofing, ceilings, walls, insulation, and other areas inside of the home. Catching the problem before ongoing freeze-thaw cycles can help reduce the damage.
How Do You Keep Ice Dams From Forming?
The best way to handle ice dams is to keep them from forming in the first place. You can’t do anything about outdoor temperatures or the snow, but there are ways to protect your roof instead of just treating the visible ice forming:
- Seal air leaks between heated rooms and the attic.
- Make sure attic insulation is adequate and evenly distributed.
- Keep attic ventilation pathways open.
- Call us to check on on roof and attic conditions if the same section develops ice every winter.
- Schedule a roof repair for missing roofing materials that can make leaks worse when water backs up.
Adding more heat to the roof may seem like a good choice, but usually isn’t the goal. Instead, you need to prevent excessive indoor heat from reaching the underside of your roof’s deck. If there’s heavy snow adding to the problem, we can come out with safe snow removal to reduce the meltwater that’s building up the dam.
Should You Remove an Ice Dam Yourself?
No, you should always avoid climbing onto a snowy or icy roof or hack at an ice dam with an axe, shovel, or hammer. You could end up damaging the roofing materials underneath. Even if you can break off the visible edge of the dam, it doesn’t mean you’ve fixed the underlying cause or hidden damage. If any water is backing up, there’s extensive ice, or you’re already seeing signs of a leak, our professional removal is the safer option. Our team at Dennis General Contractor uses specialized equipment for ice dam and snow removal that focuses on protecting your roof.
How Do You Stop Ice Dams From Coming Back?
If you’re frustrated by ice dams that keep returning to the same location, removing the ice only fixes the immediate problem but not the cause. Have the roof and attic evaluated for:
- Insulation gaps
- Air leakage
- Ventilation problems
- Areas where snow consistently melts faster
- Existing water damage
After an ice dam causes a leak, we inspect more than the shingles. You may also have wet insulation or hidden moisture inside the roof system that needs an intervention.
Ice Dam FAQs
What is the main cause of ice dams on a roof?
Ice dams usually form when heat escaping from the home warms part of the roof and melts the snow above it. The water then reaches the colder roof edge, freezes, and gradually creates a ridge that prevents additional water from draining.
How do you prevent ice dams on your roof?
Preventing ice dams usually involves reducing heat loss into the attic, improving insulation, sealing air leaks, and making sure attic ventilation is working properly. If ice dams keep appearing in the same place, have the roof and attic inspected to find out why that section is warming faster than the rest.
Can ice dams cause a roof leak?
Yes. Water can collect behind an ice dam and work beneath roofing materials instead of draining safely off the roof. That moisture can eventually damage the roof, insulation, ceilings, walls, and other parts of the home.
Should you remove ice dams from your roof?
Large ice dams should be addressed, especially if water is backing up or you are already seeing signs of a leak. Avoid climbing onto an icy roof or chopping at the ice yourself because you can damage the roofing material or seriously injure yourself.
Does attic insulation help prevent ice dams?
Yes, proper attic insulation can help keep heat from the living space from warming the underside of the roof. Insulation works best when air leaks are also sealed and the attic has appropriate ventilation, so recurring ice dams may require looking at all three conditions rather than insulation alone.
Get Help With Ice Dams in Belgrade, MT
If heavy ice is building up along your roofline, water is backing up, or you’re already seeing signs of a leak, don’t wait for another freeze-thaw cycle. Stop the damage as soon as possible for professional ice dam and snow removal to help protect your roof and home during winter.
Contact Dennis General Contractor today for ice dam and snow removal in Belgrade, MT.
