Ice Dams - Prevent Water Damage to Your Home

How can ice dams be prevented?

1. ‍The worst dams occur when deep snow is followed by very cold weather. The best course of action is to act immediately:
2. Remove snow from the edges of roofs with a snow rake
3. Make channels through ice to allow the water to drain – not all snow and ice has to be removed to be effective
4. Obtain professional help to remove as much snow as possible from the roof

There seems to be a lot of advice in the news these days concerning how to handle ice dams. What advice should not be followed?

• ‍First and foremost maintain your safety and never try to knock ice down from over your head or put a ladder on a pitched ice covered roof.
• Don’t chip away at the ice with sharp implements as this can lead to shingle damage
• Salt or calcium chloride should not be used to melt the ice as they are corrosives and can damage metal gutters, downspouts and flashings.

How can future ice dams be prevented? Prevention is key! 

Make sure to control heat loss through the attic and keep it cold by increasing insulation and maintain adequate attic ventilation.

Does a Homeowners policy cover damage caused by an ice dam?

Generally most Homeowners policies will cover damage caused by an ice dam such as:

• ‍Interior water damage – water running down walls
• Damage to insulation in walls and attic
• Mold and mildew
• Damage to shingle
• Damage to siding
• Rotted roof sheathing /fascia/soffit

Questions or concerns feel free to give me a call at 413-568-6680