Ice Dam Problems on the Roof: Causes, Risks, and Solutions

Do you have an ice dam problem on your roof? Be aware that this issue is more common than you might think, and ignoring it can lead to significant damage to your property. But don’t worry, it is possible to resolve a recurring ice dam problem on your roof.

What Causes Ice Dams on a Roof?

Excluding ice storms, ice dams on a roof form when there is:

1. a buildup of snow and;
2. the temperature of your roof covering—beneath the snow—exceeds 0°Celsius.

Even if outdoor temperatures remain below 0°C in winter, heat can accumulate in your attic from your house, which may be due to: 1) poor attic and roof ventilation, 2) air leaks from the house into the attic carrying heat, 3) inadequate attic insulation.

In addition to these causes, the use of gutter guards is known to contribute to the formation of ice dams. While these devices are designed to prevent waste buildup in gutters during the summer, they are generally more suited to warm climates than to northern climates like that of Quebec.

Indeed, snow and ice tend to get trapped in the openings of gutter guards, preventing water from flowing properly into the gutters. This leads to an accumulation of snow and ice, thereby creating ice dams. If you have gutter guards, they are the primary cause of your ice dam, and removing them should become a priority to reduce the risks of ice dam formation on the roof, and even potential water infiltration.

The Risks Associated with an Ice Dam Problem on the Roof

There are several direct and indirect risks associated with an ice dam on a roof. Here is a simple list of the direct damages, though not limited to:

• When snow melts and forms an ice dam at the base of your roof slopes, this dam blocks water runoff, which can back up under the shingles and cause water infiltration.
• If gutters are present, the weight of the ice can sometimes become heavy enough to create a gap between the gutter and its support, allowing water to reach the soffit.
• In rarer cases, water can penetrate from the soffit into the exterior wall of your house, potentially causing significant structural damage and material issues within your home.

What to Do When You Have an Ice Dam on Your Roof

To quickly address the situation if you have active water infiltration due to an ice dam, here are some temporary measures:

• Use a roof snow rake to remove any snow buildup
• Install heating cables on the roof to create a channel and allow water to drain
• Use roofing salt pellets, available in hardware stores only during winter season, which should be thrown at the base of the roof where the ice buildup begins;
• If you don’t have these roof melt tablets on hand, an alternative is to fill a sock with ice melt salt for parking and place it at the base of the roof. Just be ready for a little sock hunt on your roof come spring!

Permanent Measures: Since each type of roofing has its own set of characteristics, it is essential to consult specialists in attics, such as the experts from the Mold Removal & Asbestos Remediation EcoRenov team. Take photos of your roof and the icicles forming around it to share with these experts, who will use them to assess the problem. They will consider your attic insulation and ventilation to prevent any potential issues with mold growth or water infiltration. If you would like a free diagnosis and assessment, call us at 438-800-2046 or use our online form, and a specialized attic inspection agent will get in touch with you. Mold Removal & Asbestos Remediation EcoRenov: your go-to contractor for attic mold removal, attic and roof ventilation, roofing renovation, attic insulation and vermiculite removal.