Prevent ice dams

Steps to take

Proper ventilation, drainage, and insulation are the only ways to prevent ice dams.

• Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris.
• Check and seal places where warm air could leak from your house to the attic: vent pipes, exhaust fans, chimneys, attic hatches, and light fixtures are all possibilities.
• Inspect, or have your roof and attic inspected for proper ventilation and insulation.
• Look for signs of inadequate ventilation: rust spots, rusty nails, or a mildew smell are all signals that moisture has formed on the inside of your roof.
• If you have soffit vents in your eaves, make sure they are not blocked and insulation surrounding them is secured so that air can flow easily.
• Keep snow from accumulating on the lower three to six feet of your roof.

Additional steps for extra protection

• Install snow and ice slides to prevent ice and snow from "bonding" to the lower roof.
• Install a rubberized ice and water shield beneath the roof shingles for the first three to six feet from the eaves up.
• Install heating cable along the eaves to melt ice.

Removing ice dams

If you need to remove an ice dam, do not attempt to do so with a shovel, blowtorch, or snowblower. Call a professional to get it taken care of.