What Can I Do About Ice Dams On My Roof

Ice and water protector sometimes also referred to as ice and water shield is a waterproof roof underlayment membrane developed to protect vulnerable areas on a roof from ice and water damage.

What can i do about ice dams on my roof.

Hacking away at ice dams with a hammer chisel or shovel is bad for your roofing and dangerous for you. Adequate insulation will keep the warm temperatures in your home and the cold temperatures outside. If left alone the ice dam will continue to be built up by the snow and ice up on your roof. You do that by increasing ventilation adding insulation and sealing off every possible air leak that might warm the underside of the roof.

These vents help to circulate cold air under the entire roof eliminating the hot spots and cold spots that cause ice dams. And throwing salt on them will do more to harm to your plantings than to the ice. Just keep the entire roof the same temperature as the eaves. Your roof will remain below freezing preventing ice dams from forming.

A combination of better sealing insulation and venting in the attic and eaves. Ice and water protectors sometimes called ice and snow shields in cold climates are made with polymer modified bitumen. Make sure you use soffit and ridge vents that have the same size of opening. In an emergency situation where water is flowing into the house structure making channels through the ice dam allows the water behind the dam to drain off the roof.

There are several things you can do to avoid getting an ice dam or to reduce the risk of damage after one has formed but there s really only one cure. A roof rake and push broom can be used to remove snow but may damage the roofing materials. And this may cause water to leak into your attic ceiling or wall soaking your insulation drywall and paint. Short of praying for warm weather here are two stop gap measures we recommend.

And as a bonus you will save money on your heating bills. Ice and water barrier is a type of self sealing underlayment that adheres to the roof decking and waterproofs it. This eliminates one of the ingredients necessary for the formation of an ice dam. Run special ice dam prevention products adhesive ice and water barrier from 3 to 6 ft.

You can keep your entire roof at an equal temperature by installing a ridge vent and soffit vents around your roof. Up the roof from the edge the next time you reroof fig. Getting rid of ice dams for good is simple in principle. If you don t have an attic completely insulate the rafters.

And some sections of the roof may be impossible to keep cold. The best thing you can do is to take steps to help prevent future ice dams from forming. The problem is these ice dams can force water up under your roof s shingles.