A diagram showing how a home’s heat loss can result in ice dams and icicles forming on roofs and gutters.
How to Prevent Ice Dams and Protect Your Gutters
Have you ever looked at your house in the middle of winter and wondered why your roof has giant ice chunks and the gutters have icicles clinging for dear life to them?
You glance at the house on the left and notice their entire gutter system has collapsed under the weight of the snow. You look to the right and see that neighbor’s gutters detaching and nearly pulling their siding off. Suddenly, that winter wonderland feeling turns into anxiety.
At Gutter Solutions of Lake Erie, we see this every year in Buffalo and Erie. Let’s break down what causes ice dams, why icicles are a warning sign, and how to protect your home to prevent a roof replacement project.
What Causes Ice Dams to Form
Ice dams aren’t caused by just snow. They are a result of a temperature and drainage problem. Warm air escapes your attic, melting the snow on the upper part of your roof. That melted snow then flows down to the cold eaves (the edge of your roof) and freezes instantly. This creates a dam of ice that is trapping water behind it. That water has nowhere to go but under your shingles and eventually into your home.
Ice dams can form for all kinds of reasons including clogged drainage, poor insulation, shading from trees or nearby buildings, quick-changing temperatures, and of course, our signature snowfalls in Buffalo, NY and Erie, PA that just keep piling up. Even the way your home was built could be a factor. For more details about ice dams, visit the National Weather Service guide on ice dams.
Winter Roof Damage
Ignoring ice buildup doesn’t just lead to a potential wet ceiling. Over time, the cycle of freezing and thawing can lead to any of the below problems.
- Cracked and Lifted Shingles: When ice expands, it can rip your roofing material apart.
- Sagging Gutters: Your gutters weren’t designed to hold the heavy weight of ice.
- High Energy Bills: If you have ice dams, you likely have heat escaping your attic or crawl space.
- Potential Water Damage and Mold: If these problems go unnoticed for too long, water could get into your home and slowly eat away your home’s foundation.
A healthy roof coated in snow that was professionally installed in Erie, PA.
How to Remove and Prevent Ice Dams
1. Immediate Roof Snow Removal
If you’re currently staring at an ice buildup, below are some roof snow removal.
- Roof Rakes: You can buy a roof rake from most hardware stores including Lowe’s or Home Depot to clear the snow from your eaves. These tools allow you to remove some of the snow’s weight from your roof and less fuel to form ice dams. Before trying this, we recommend that you read a few safety tips from Traveler’s Insurance.
- Professional Steam Removal: Our team at Bauer Specialty offers professional steam removal that melts the ice off your roof safely.
2. Permanent Ice Solutions
To stop the freezing cycle for good, you need full protection from heat loss and a clear path for water. With these three home updates, you can keep your roof healthier and longer.
- Heat Cables:We install specialized heat tape that melts drainage channels through the ice. Learn more about them here.
- Gutter Guards: Keeping your gutters clean is step one. Gutter covers prevent the debris that causes the initial “clog” where ice starts to form.
- Insulation & Ventilation: If your attic is “leaking” heat, you’ll always have ice dams. Proper insulation keeps the roof temperature consistent. Bauer Specialty offers also provides free estimates for insulation!
Let Us Help to Save Your Gutters
Whether you need a professional to clear the snow off your roof or you want to invest in permanent de-icing solutions, we’ve got your back! We provide expert ice dam prevention and gutter protection throughout Erie, PA and Buffalo, NY.
Contact Gutter Solutions of Lake Erie for a Free Estimate Today!