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    What Causes Ice Dams and How to Prevent Them

    July 17, 20247 min read

    Ice dams are one of the most destructive winter hazards for New England homes. Understanding what causes them is the first step to preventing costly damage.

    What Is an Ice Dam?

    An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of your roof, preventing melting snow from draining. The trapped water backs up under shingles and leaks into your home, causing damage to ceilings, walls, insulation, and framing.

    What Causes Ice Dams?

    The root cause is uneven roof temperatures. When your attic is warmer than the outside air, it melts snow on the upper portion of your roof. That meltwater flows down to the colder eaves (which overhang the exterior walls and stay cold) and refreezes, forming a dam.

    Three factors contribute: 1. Poor attic insulation — allows heat from your living space into the attic 2. Inadequate ventilation — traps warm air in the attic instead of cycling it out 3. Air leaks — gaps around lights, plumbing, and ducts let warm air into the attic

    Warning Signs

  1. Icicles forming along the eaves (a sign of melting and refreezing)
  2. Ice buildup in gutters
  3. Water stains on interior ceilings or walls during winter
  4. Snow melting unevenly on your roof (warm spots indicate heat loss)

    5. Prevention Strategies

    Short-Term

  5. Roof raking after heavy snowfalls to reduce snow load
  6. Heat cables along eaves and in gutters (a band-aid, not a cure)
  7. Professional snow removal to reduce melt potential

    8. Long-Term (Permanent Fixes)

  8. Add attic insulation to R-49 or higher
  9. Improve attic ventilation with balanced soffit and ridge vents
  10. Seal all air leaks from the living space into the attic
  11. Ice and water shield membrane during your next roof replacement

    12. Emergency Ice Dam Removal

    If you already have an ice dam causing leaks, professional steam removal is the safest option. Never chip ice off your roof — you'll damage the shingles and potentially cause more leaks.

    Peak Exteriors offers 24/7 emergency ice dam removal. Call (401) 300-0323.

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