thumbnailIce dams form when snow piles up on your roof and begins to melt from heat that radiates from your attic. This melting snow runs down towards the edges of your roof, where the temperature drops and the water freezes again. That frozen water builds up and forms ice dams.

There are a few different ways to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. Using a roof rake (a rake specifically designed for removing snow from your roof) you can prevent the snow buildup that leads to the formation of ice dams.

You can also make sure the temperature in your attic stays consistent, as fluctuating attic temperatures are a major factor in the melting of the initial layers of snow on your roof. Properly insulating your attic is the best way to ensure that you trap in the heat that will otherwise melt snow and lead to ice dams.

Replacing your aging gutters with a new, more durable gutter system is another way to prevent ice dams this winter. Gutters that are clogged with last fall’s leaves can make the situation even worse. The refrozen snow melt forms an impassable ice dam that can force water up and under shingles, causing leaks in your roof. A leaky roof can lead to a host of other structural problems in your home, including warped framing, stained walls and ceilings, and weakened foundation.

Ice dams can lead to complicated problems, but preventing them is not a complicated matter. Taking these simple precautions now can save you thousands of dollars in roof repairs in the Spring!

Don’t wait until Winter hits New England in earnest before taking the proper precautions to protect your roof. Turn to Hi-Tech for everything you need to ensure your roof and your home make it through this Winter unscathed. Call us toll free at (800) 851-0900 to find out more or for a roofing estimate