A: What you are describing is an ice dam which is unfortunately very common in homes in areas with cold and snowy winters. Ice dams form when snow melts and then refreezes (known as the freeze-thaw cycle), and unusually warm rooftops are the culprit. Not only can this result in damage to the roof or gutter system, but “[ice dams] cause millions of dollars in flood damage every year,” says Steve Cool, owner and CEO of Ice Dam Company and Radiant Solutions Company. . Ice jams are most common on shingle roofs, but can also form on other roofing materials, especially if the roof is flat.
Fortunately, there are many permanent and temporary solutions to icy roof problems. Ice jams are generally not a one-time occurrence, so homeowners also need to consider taking steps to prevent future ice jams. Read on to find out why ice dams form and what to do about them.
Frost is ice water that accumulates on the edges of roofs after snow has fallen. When the air in the attic is warm, heat can be transferred through the roof and the layer of snow begins to melt, causing water droplets to drip off the roof. When these droplets reach the edge of the roof, they freeze again because the overhang (cornice) above the roof cannot get warm air from the attic.
As the snow melts, falls and refreezes, the ice continues to accumulate, forming real dams – barriers that prevent water from draining from the roof. Ice dams and the inevitable icicles that result can make a house look like a gingerbread house, but beware: they are dangerous. Failing to clean icicles is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make every winter.
Ice dams can be easily overlooked – after all, won’t the problem resolve itself when it warms up and the snow begins to melt? However, if not properly managed, ice dams can pose a significant risk to homes and their residents.
Here are some of the best frost removal methods. But keep this in mind for the coming winters: the key to long-term protection is preventing ice dams from forming.
Once ice dams have formed, they must be removed before further melting and freezing can cause the ice dams to expand and expose roofs and gutters to further risk. The most common ice dam removal methods involve treating the ice with one of the best ice makers or using one of the best ice dam tools to break the ice into smaller pieces for removal. When in doubt, it is usually advisable to seek help from an ice removal service.
Calcium chloride, such as Morton’s Safe-T-Power, is the same stuff used to melt and de-ice driveways and sidewalks, but it can’t just be sprinkled on ice dams. Instead, stuff the balls into the leg of a sock or pantyhose, then tie off the end with string.
A 50-pound bag of calcium chloride costs about $30 and fills 13 to 15 socks. Thus, using calcium chloride, the homeowner can place each sock vertically over the weir, with the end of the sock hanging an inch or two over the edge of the roof. By melting the ice, it will create a tubular channel in the ice dam that will allow additional melt water to drain safely off the roof. It is worth noting that if additional snow or rain falls in the coming days, the channel will quickly fill up.
WARNING: Do not replace calcium chloride with rock salt when trying to melt ice, as rock salt on a roof can damage shingles and runoff can kill shrubs and foliage underneath. Homeowners should ensure that the ice melting products they buy contain only calcium chloride, which is safe for shingles and vegetation.
Breaking an ice dam can be dangerous and is usually best done by a professional. “It’s almost impossible to break ice dams with a hammer, especially safely,” Kuhl said. Half an inch above the plane of the roof so as not to damage it,” he advises.
Breaking an ice dam is usually combined with melting the ice in some way, such as using a calcium chloride sock as described above, or steam on a roof (see below). First, a prudent homeowner or hired hand needs to remove excess snow from the roof and stomp the gutters in the dam. Then, when the ice begins to melt, the edges of the channel can be gently tapped with a hammer, such as a 16-ounce Tekton fiberglass hammer, to widen the channel and promote drainage. Never cut ice with an ax or hatchet, it may damage the roof. Breaking ice dams can cause large chunks of ice to fall off rooftops, shatter windows, damage bushes, and injure everyone below, so extreme care must be taken. Ice dam breakers must do so from a vantage point on the roof, not from the ground, which can cause heavy ice sheets to fall.
Steam de-icing dams are a task best left to one of the best roofing companies as commercial steam equipment is required to heat the water and distribute it under pressure. A hired roofer first rakes and removes excess snow from the roof, then sends steam to the ice dam to help melt it. Workers can also chip away part of the dam until the roof is clear of ice. Professional de-icing can be relatively expensive; Cool says that “market rates around the country range from $400 to $700 an hour.”
Cold weather can cause damage to homes, sometimes severe. Some roof ice prevention methods require the snow to be removed from the roof, while others require the home’s attic to be cooled to prevent heat transfer from the attic to the roof. First, avoid frost by trying one or more of the frost prevention methods below.
Although homeowners are sometimes advised to rake only the bottom few feet of the roof, this “can cause serious problems leading to what is known as a double dam – a secondary ice dam where you cut into the higher part of the roof to form a secondary ice dam.” Snow and take it down,” Kuhl said. Instead, he recommends removing as much snow from rooftops as is safe. Due to potentially slippery conditions, your best bet is to hire one of the best snow removal services or search for “snow removal near me” to find a company that will take care of this part.
For homeowners taking the DIY route, it is best to use a lightweight roof rake such as the Snow Joe Roof Rake that comes with a 21-foot extension. Immediately after the snow has fallen, while it is still soft, it is very important to remove the snow from the roof eaves with a rake. This will help reduce icing. The best rakes will last for years and make clearing snow off the roof an easy task as there is no need to climb stairs. As a last resort, homeowners can try a homemade snow rake in their home.
When the temperature in the attic is above freezing, it can cause the snow on the roof to melt and then refreeze the bottom of the roof. So anything that raises the temperature of your attic can be a potential cause of ice formation. These sources may include built-in lighting, exhaust vents, air ducts, or HVAC ducts. Reconnecting or replacing certain components, or wrapping them in insulation can help resolve this issue.
The idea is to stop heat transfer through the roof by starting a freeze-thaw cycle. An extra 8-10 inches of attic insulation will help prevent heat transfer and help keep the home warm, so homeowners spend less on keeping their home warm during the winter. Better attic insulation, such as Owens Corning R-30 insulation, will prevent heat from seeping from the living space into the attic and thus reduce the risk of ice dams.
No matter how much insulation you add to your attic, it will still be too hot if warm air from your living space is forced through cracks and vents. “The vast majority of problems are related to hot air getting in where it shouldn’t be. Fixing those air leaks is the first thing you can do to reduce the chance of ice forming,” Kuhl says. Foam Expansion Options Seal all gaps around sewer vents and redirect bathroom and dryer vents from the attic to the exterior walls of the home. High quality insulating foam such as Great Stuff Gaps & Cracks can stop hot air from living quarters from entering the attic.
The best roof vents should be installed on a soffit along the underside of the eaves, exiting at the top of the roof. Cool air will naturally enter the soffit vents such as the HG Power Soffit Vent. As the cold air in the attic heats up, it rises and exits through an exhaust vent, such as the Master Flow Solar Roof Vent, which should be located at the top of the roof. This creates a constant flow of fresh air in the attic, helping to prevent overheating of the roof deck.
Because roofs come in all sizes and configurations, designing an attic ventilation system is a job for a skilled roofer.
Heating cable, also known as heating tape, is an anti-icing product that is installed on the most vulnerable part of the roof. “Cables come in two types: constant wattage and self-regulating,” Kuhl said. The DC power cables stay on at all times, and the self-regulating cables only activate when temperatures are 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Kuhl recommends using self-regulating cables as they are more durable, while constant wattage cables can burn out easily. Self-regulating cables also use less power and do not require manual operation, so they are not dependent on home residents to turn them on during a thunderstorm.
Homeowners can find constant-wattage roof and gutter de-icing cables (the Frost King roof cable kit is the best option) at most home improvement stores for $125 to $250. They are fixed directly on top of the shingles with clamps on the roof eaves. These cables can come in handy in a pinch and prevent ice dams from forming, but they are visible and raking the roof can cause ice dams to shift if the homeowner is not careful. Self-regulating heating cables usually require professional installation, but once installed they can last up to 10 years. “One of the benefits of heat cables over building methods like bypassing, insulation, and ventilation is that…you can target problem areas for prevention. methods,” Kuhl added.
Professional systems such as Warmzone’s RoofHeat Anti-Frost System are installed under roof tiles and should be installed by a qualified roofing company at the same time as new roof tiles are installed. These systems will not compromise the appearance of the roofline and are designed to last for years. Depending on the size of the roof, a professionally installed de-icing system can add $2,000 to $4,000 to the overall cost of the roof.
Many people have heard that clogged gutters cause ice jams, but Cool explained that this is not the case. “Gutters don’t create ice jams. There are a number of problems that can arise when a sewer fills with ice, but [ice blockage is not one of them]. This is a very common myth,” Kuhl says. , blockage of drains The trench expands the area of ice formation and leads to the accumulation of additional ice. Gutters filled with fallen leaves and debris will not allow water to drain through the downpipe as intended. Cleaning gutters before winter can prevent roof damage in heavy snow and cold regions. A professional gutter cleaning service can help, or some of the best roof cleaning companies offer this service. But for homeowners who choose to DIY, it’s important not to swing on the ladder and instead use one of the best gutter cleaning tools like the AgiiMan Gutter Cleaner to safely remove leaves and debris.
If ignored, ice dams can cause serious damage to a home from ice on the roof, including the destruction of shingles and gutters. There is also a risk of water damage to interior spaces and mold growth as water can pool under shingles and seep into the home. Homeowners should be prepared to clear ice if snow is expected in the near future.
Ice jams can be melted with chemicals or steam (or with ice melting methods that do not add salt or chemicals), or they can be physically removed by breaking off small pieces at a time. These methods are most effective (and safe) when performed by professionals. However, the best course of action in the long run is to prevent ice dams from forming in the first place by insulating the house, properly ventilating the attic, and installing self-regulating heating cables. This will help save future snow removal costs, not to mention the cost of repairing a damaged ice dam. Homeowners may consider the cost of completing these upgrades as an investment in the value of the home.
Post time: Aug-20-2023