An ice dam forms when heat from the house melts snow on the upper roof, the water runs down, and it refreezes on the cold overhang. The ice builds a ridge, and the next melt pools behind it and creeps up under the shingles.
Stop the heat, then move the air
Air sealing and insulation keep heat out of the attic. But the attic also needs to breathe: cold air in at the soffits, warm air out at the ridge. Most homes we inspect have plenty of insulation and almost no ventilation.
The last line of defense
Ice and water shield under the first six feet of roof seals around every nail. It will not stop a dam forming, but it stops the water behind it getting into your ceiling. We install it on every roof, at every eave.
Never chip ice off a roof with a hammer or shovel. You will do more damage to the shingles than the ice would. Call us and we will steam it off safely.
