Icicles are pretty, but they can also be dangerous to you and your home. Large icicles or ice dams can fall and pull your home’s gutters down with them. Water building up behind the ice dam can damage your shingles and your home.

Ice dams are caused by too much heat in the attic.  If the temperature in the attic is above freezing and there is snow on the roof, the snow melts. Then the water runs into the gutter where it refreezes into ice.

As the ice builds up in the gutter, it stops the water as it comes down the roof, making an ice dam. As the water gets deep enough behind the ice dam, it is pushed up under the shingles and into the house. This can rot the wood in your roof and attic, and it can eventually seep through and ruin ceilings, walls, and windows.

The good news? There is a solution! The solution is proper attic insulation, air sealing, and ventilation.

The key to preventing ice dams is to have an attic that stays very close to outdoor temperatures. The right amount of insulation in your attic will help keep the heat in your home and out of your attic. Air leaks can transmit a lot of heat into the attic, so they are important to stop as well. Attic ventilation draws in cold outdoor air and flushes out warmer attic air, cooling the attic and the roof in the process.

Do you need a professional to solve an ice dam problem in your home?

For more information on ice dams and how to prevent them, or any questions give Comfort 1st Insulation a call (833) 244-7283, email info@comfort1stinsulation.com or fill out our contact form. We’re certified and accredited professionals with the experience and knowledge to provide the best Insulation System tailored to your needs.