Severe Winter Weather & Ice Damming

What is an Ice Dam?

Ice dams occur when heavy snow builds up on your roof and gutter systems. This heavy snow melts during the day and freezes when temperatures drop overnight.

After Several days of melting/freezing cycles it is very common for the melted water and ice to work under the shingles until water enters the attic.

The melting snow fills the downspouts and gutters with ice. The ice builds up and causes what is called an ice dam. The additional water from melting snow has no place to go; the water backs up under your shingles, roofing paper and enters your roof. The water runs down your roof trusses and stud walls and enters your home.

The above diagram demonstrates how water may enter your home and then may leak from or around windows and doors. If you have an ice dam formed on your roof, the water is actually entering through your roof, running down the walls and leaking into your home.

For more information we recommend the following links:

http://www.homeimprovementhelper.com/roof/icedam.htm

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_solutions.hm_improvement_icedams

http://www.askthebuilder.com/NH026_-_Preventing_Ice_Dams_Before_They_Start.shtml

http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/article/Homeowner/Ice_Damming_Leaks

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/icedamremoval