• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Adverticia

Advertising Strategies for Today's Media World

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Business Tips
    • Construction
    • Family
    • Fitness
    • Furniture
    • Health
    • Swimming Pools
    • Technology
    • The Arts
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact

A Homeowner’s Guide to Avoiding Ice Dams

Last updated on January 10, 2021 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

house in winter snow with trees
As iconic as icicles may be, donning the fronts of holiday cards and mimicked in lights and all kinds of other winter decor, the real ones can mean bad news for your home. Specifically, icicles can be signs of an ice dam. Not necessarily, though. So how do you know if your home’s icicles indicate an ice dam issue and what to do about it, if they do? Stay tuned to find out.

Ingredients for Icicles and Ice Dams

There is not a causal relationship between icicles and ice dams, one way or the other. But where one appears, the other is likely to emerge as well. Essentially, the same mixture that causes icicles can also lead to ice dams. The combination of snow followed by heat and then cold weather causes snow to melt and then freeze. Often, warm air inside your home can melt rooftop snow; as the water submits to gravity’s pull, it encounters the colder eaves, which extend beyond your home’s walls. At that point, the melted snow can refreeze, creating a buildup of ice we refer to as an “ice dam.” While icicles can certainly be signs that an ice dam has been formed, icicles don’t necessarily appear whenever there’s an ice dam.

Problems Caused by Ice Dams

An accumulation of ice and snow, along with temperature fluctuations, create the ideal environment in which ice dams can form. These temporary structures can cause damage to your gutters and roof, but the damage can affect your home’s interior, as well. When the roof is damaged, the melted water can easily affect your attic or ceiling. Peeling paint, wet insulation, and other problems connected to higher moisture levels can result.

Solutions to Ice Dams

If you have a heavy snowfall, you can reduce the chances of an ice dam forming by removing snow from your roof. A roof rake is the best choice for a sloped roof, while the stiff bristles of a push broom will do the job on a flat or nearly flat roof. Especially if your roof is particularly high, you may wish to contact a snow removal professional in your area who has the proper equipment to safely remove snow from your roof.

Prevention of Ice Dams

One way to prevent ice dams from forming is to ensure that your roof and eaves retain approximately the same temperature and that your attic has proper ventilation. You can do this by adding insulation to your attic floor, keeping warm air out of the attic. You can also help achieve that goal by removing any heat sources in the attic and sealing the attic hatch or door with weatherstripping.or a cover. You can also make sure that all ducts exhaust to outside your home, instead of to the attic. Make sure the flashing around the chimney is in good repair, as well, since cracked flashing can allow for hot air to escape and water to get into the space next to the chimney.

Filed Under: Construction

Additional Articles

gib mcilvain teak log truck
Teak Wood – Facts about Tectona Grandis Lumber
one by four ipe boards
Ipe Wood – Facts about Brazilian Walnut
fresh ipe wood deck
Should I Use Ipe or Teak? Two High End Lumbers Explained
walnut crown molding
The Natural Appeal of Walnut Wood
How Seasonal Demand Affects Lumber Pricing
Large new backyard pool before being filled with water
Decision Making: 3 Types of Swimming Pool Construction

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

two × one =



Primary Sidebar

Lyon Financial
X10 Home Automation

Popular Articles

  • Reducing Painful Side Effects of Immobilization Boots
  • Stop Hiding Your Phone Number, Walmart.com
  • Dance Studio Management Software Review
  • Should I Use Ipe or Teak?: Two High End Lumbers Explained
  • How do They Get Those Surgical Instruments So Clean?
  • Are Your Shoulder Blades Crooked?
  • The Bedroom Source: Maxtrix Furniture for Kids
  • Septic Tank Pumping in Mooresville, NC
  • Top 3 Household Hazards for Kids
  • Getting Started with X10 Home Automation
  • Why a Swimming Pool Is a Great Addition to a Healthy Lifestyle
  • Certified Personal Fitness Trainer in Harford County, MD
Lyon Financial

Recent Posts

  • Are Your Dancers Getting Enough Sleep?
  • The Bedroom Source – Unique Kids Furniture Store
  • Stressless Furniture by Ekornes at Country Willow
  • The Impact of Social Media on Society
  • Introduction to Home Automation using X10 Products
  • Teak Wood – Facts about Tectona Grandis Lumber
  • Ipe Wood – Facts about Brazilian Walnut
  • When Dieting & Exercise Don’t Work
  • 5 Things You Should Know Before Purchasing A Reclaimed Wood Table
  • Tips on Losing Fat from a Certified Personal Trainer
Lyon Financial

Reader Feedback

  • Norie Rie on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Afton Jackson on Wood Flooring: Environmental & Economic Benefits
  • Zoey Bac on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Karen M. on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Jacky Clemente on 3 Options for Pool Heating

Copyright © 2023 Sozo Firm Inc · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap

Adverticia.com does not provide medical advice, treatment or diagnosis; content on this website should not be utilized for medical treatment or diagnosis. The information provided is intended for general consumer information and should not take the place as a substitute for professional medical advice.

FTC Compliance Disclaimer: Adverticia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com; proceeds from product sales help cover the operational & maintenance costs for the site.