by Steve Bench<\/p>\n
Leaks in the attic? Stains on the ceilings? Damaged roof shingles after a long winter? You may be suffering from ice dams. This article is an explanation of ice dams and possible solutions to prevent them from occurring in the future.<\/p>\n
Ice Dams<\/strong><\/p>\n An ice dam occurs when the temperature at the base of the roof is below freezing, but higher portions of the roof are above freezing. We all know that heat rises, and that makes the apex of a roof the warmest part. Snow on the warmer portion of the roof will melt, flow down and freeze when it reaches the base of the roof, thus starting an ice dam. As more snow melts at the top of the roof, more ice forms at the base of the roof, and the dam increases in size. Eventually, the water stopped by the ice dam will back up and remain stagnant on the roof, or it will gradually seep into the building\u2019s structure. Varying roof temperatures are primarily caused by heat loss from within a structure. Inadequate insulation, leaky ducts and poor ventilation are all contributing factors to this heat loss.<\/p>\n Solutions to Prevent the Formation of Ice Dams<\/strong><\/p>\n Uniform roof temperature is the key to preventing the formation of ice dams. However, there are a variety of methods to ensure this unvarying temperature. The following is a list of options on how to prevent the formation of ice dams or minimize damage:<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0Install roof de-icing and snow melting system:\u00a0<\/strong>A system is installed under roofing materials to provide uniform heat across the roof.<\/p>\n Advantages: fast and effective, maintenance free, roof retains aesthetic beauty<\/p>\n Disadvantages: costly<\/p>\n Note: An affordable, high-quality system may be purchased from Heatizon Systems.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Remove the snow from the roof and gutters:<\/strong>\u00a0A person manually scrapes the snow off the roof before it forms an ice dam.<\/p>\n Advantages: inexpensive, immediate results in emergencies<\/p>\n Disadvantages: temporary fix, dangerous, may damage roof shingles, laborious<\/p>\n