What Are Ice Dams and How Do They Affect My Home?

Heartland Roofing, Siding, and Solar knows how damaging ice dams can be to homes, especially during harsh winters. Our team prides itself on transparency and expertise, helping homeowners understand the best ways to maintain their roofs and prevent costly issues. In this blog, we'll cover the basics of ice dams, why they’re a concern and how to handle them effectively to protect your home.

Do I Need To Worry About Ice Dams?

If you live in a colder climate, ice dams can be a real concern. They form when snow melts on your roof, runs down and refreezes at the edges, creating a dam that prevents further melting snow from draining off the roof. This trapped water can seep under shingles and cause leaks inside your home. Ice dam removal is essential if you’re noticing ice buildup along your roofline during winter.

You can find more about the risks of ice dams in resources like the National Weather Service’s guide on preventing ice dams, which explains why timely removal is crucial.

What Happens if You Don’t Remove Ice Dams?

Ignoring ice dams can lead to significant ice dam damage in and around your home. Here are some potential issues:

• Interior leaks. Water from melted snow can seep into your attic, causing damage to insulation, ceilings and walls.
• Structural damage. If left unchecked, ice dams can weaken your roof deck and framing.
• Gutter damage. The weight of the ice can pull gutters away from your home, requiring repairs.
• Mold and mildew. Moisture trapped inside your home can lead to mold growth, which is costly and hazardous to health.

Do Ice Dams Mean I Need a New Roof?

If ice dams are a recurring issue, you might wonder if they indicate a larger problem with your roof. Not necessarily! However, they can accelerate the wear on your roof, especially if it’s older. 

One way to minimize the impact of ice dams is through roof raking, which can help prevent ice from building up along the edges. At Heartland, we often get asked, “Does roof raking prevent ice dams?” Our answer is always, “It doesn’t hurt.”

Regular maintenance like roof raking can help prolong your roof’s lifespan and potentially avoid a full replacement. However, if ice dams have caused severe damage over time, a professional inspection can help determine whether a replacement or repair is necessary.

Can Ice Dams Be Prevented?

The best approach to ice dams is prevention. Fortunately, there are various ice dam prevention products on the market that can help protect your roof, including:

• Ice and water shield. This protective underlayment can be installed when reroofing to provide an additional barrier against water infiltration.
• Attic insulation. Proper insulation keeps warm air from escaping and causing snow to melt unevenly on your roof.
• Roof ventilation systems. Adequate ventilation helps maintain a balanced temperature across your roof, reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation.

Preventing Ice Dams With Heartland Roofing, Siding, and Solar

At Heartland Roofing, Siding, and Solar, we understand the unique challenges that homeowners face during winter. Our team offers free estimates and can help you assess whether your home is at risk for ice dams.