what is an ice dam?

An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms at the edge of the roof, typically at the gutters, soffits and valleys. It’s called a dam because it prevents melting snow from draining into the gutters and off the roof.

HERE IS A STEP-BY-STEP LOOK AT HOW ICE DAMS FORM:

• STEP 1: Heat from the sun, along with escaped indoor heat, warms the peak of the roof to above 32 degrees, and melts the snow.

• STEP 2: The melted snow at the peak runs down to the edge of the roof, where the temperature is below 32 degrees, and refreezes, forming the ice dam.

• STEP 3: The ice dam continues to grow larger and larger, to the point that the melted snow behind the ice dam no longer continues to refreeze, but starts to pool behind the ice dam.

• STEP 4: The pooling water starts to leak under the shingles and past the ice shield into the home, potentially causing major damage.

• NOTE: Residential roofs are not designed to be waterproof. They are pitched so that snow will slide down and off. An ice dam prevents the melted snow from sliding off the roof, so the only place is has to go is inside the home.