An ice dam is a hump of ice that forms at the edge of a roof under certain wintertime conditions.
Ice dam on roof edge.
Ice dams are a common sight in northern new england winters and home partners has dealt with quite a few.
This only occurs when part of your roof warms to above 32 degrees f warm enough to melt the snow while the roof edge remains below freezing.
It s doing what we want it to do dave b.
More critically ice dams can cause meltwater to back up under the shingles where it can flow down and ruin ceiling and wall surfaces.
Attached with clips along the roof s edge in a zigzag pattern heated cables help prevent ice dams that lift shingles and cause leaks.
An ice dam is a mass of ice that gathers along the lower edge of rooflines.
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow water from draining off the roof.
This scenario is often the result of a warm attic.
When ice dams do fall off the roof a new ice dam develops at the snow fracture often at or above the building wall line.
Snow starts to melt in certain areas of the roof which are warmer than others due to heat loss from the attic.
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Metal edging aka skirting along roof eaves is often used to prevent damage from ice formations.
This solution allows you to equalize your roof s temperature by heating it from the outside instead of blowing in cold air from the inside as we mention next in fast fixes.
It will put gutters and downspouts at risk too.
Severe ice dams can weigh many hundreds of pounds compromising the structure of the roof eaves.
An ice dam is a solid ridge of ice that forms along the edges of your roof.
Ice dams and icicles form when the snow melts runs down your roof and refreezes near the edge.
The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls ceilings insulation and other areas.
They occur in climates with cold winter temperatures and regular snowfall.
Once this thick ice forms it prevents melting snow from running off the roof.
With the code recommended installation of the ice barrier over the drip edge water can back up at the eaves edge and get behind the vertical leg of the drip edge where it can end up flowing into the joint between the fascia and the roof sheathing.
But ice dams can form in the gutter as well as on the roof.
Ask this old house general contractor tom silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams.
It is keeping the roof edge clear of ice just as advertised.
