The Art of Ice Dam Removal

You may have noticed long icicles hanging from your gutters and not realize the significance of the damage that may be occurring behind them. Icicles are usually one of the first warning signs of possible ice dams on your roof. This article will explain what ice dams are, how they form and the best methods for removing them safely.

What is an ice dam?

An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms at the edge of the roof, usually at the gutters or soffit. When it forms the water then backs up behind the ice dam and creates a pool of water. This pool of water can leak into your home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas

What causes ice dams

Ice dams are usually caused by heavy snowfall and improper ventilation in the attic. This causes warmer areas in your attic then the snow begins to melt, even when the outside temperature is well below freezing. When the accumulated snow on your roof starts melting it runs down your roof underneath the snow until it reaches a "colder" section like the soffit's, valleys or in gutters then it begins to freeze again, this process of thawing and refreezing is what causes an ice dam.

Cleaning the gutters on your home can help prevent ice dams from occurring as quickly but they can still occur if the conditions are right. The gutters will be just as cold as it is outside and in some cases, full of frozen debris. So even if you don't have a soffit for the water to refreeze in, the melted water will most likely refreeze when flowing into the gutters.

How can I remove an existing ice dam?

Properly removing an ice dam can be quite dangerous if you don't know how. In the past some members of the media suggested hiring a contractor to pull the gutters off your home so the whole ice dam process would be solved. This suggestion was well intended but wrong. Contractors that started removing gutters caused significant damage to roofing and guttering systems, then when the snow melted it dropped next to the homes foundation and caused the basements to flood.

WARNING!

Performing ice dam removal is risking severe personal injury and damage to the roof if not done properly. Never walk on a snow covered roof and make sure if your using a ladder you follow the proper safety procedures. I highly suggest contacting professionals with the proper equipment and roofing experience to carry out this job.

Immediate action: Remove snow and ice dam from the roof this will eliminate the main ingredients necessary for the formation of another ice dam and will usually stop the water from coming in within an hour. Using a roof rake and push broom (not water) remove the snow by carefully pulling it down the slope of the roof line. Never pull snow across the roof or it may break off the shingles and other damages. Then carefully chip away a channel through the ice dam so the water will be able to flow through, just make sure you stop when you get close to the roofing. It's not necessary to remove all of the ice in the gutters or the ice dam itself if you have removed the snow from the roof, it will melt when the temperatures rise.

How can I prevent ice dams in the future?

Properly ventilating and insulating the attic is usually the best way to prevent ice dams. The usual recommendation for proper ventilation is 1 square foot of vent for every 150 feet of attic floor area but each climate region may have it's own recommendations so I would suggest contacting a licensed local insulation company near you. If you have small louvered vents at either end of the attic known as gable vents you can either replace them with larger vents, or install an electric vent fan over the inside of them. These special fans usually work on a thermostat and will pull outside air into the attic to keep the temperature inside consistent.

Henry's Housework is known as one of the leaders in the home maintenance and power washing industries. Henry's Housework has also helped train other companies across the country in starting a business and teaching various skills so they can provide quality workmanship.

For more information on ice dams and other articles we have written, please see our website at http://www.henryshousework.com

---

The Smart Way To Look At Home Improvements

What home improvements really pay off when the time comes to sell your house?That's an important question for any homeowner contemplating moving or remodeling. And the only... Read More

Hammocks Create a Stress Free Zone

Stress is all around us, from the office to the front yard and everywhere in between. Homeowners are buying hammocks and porch swings to create that stress... Read More

Art and Design

Maybe you've faced it before ? a new house with an empty room or two. This room is just crying out for some furniture. So off you... Read More

To Picket Fences

Of the 359 homeowners in my area, 112 are running afoul of the law in a deviously blatant way by committing the heinous "fence offence;" in other... Read More

Luxurious Whirlpool Baths Aren?t Just for the Rich and Famous

A Jacuzzi has been popular since the 40's. We stopped taking the evening bath and are now taking more morning showers, but these wonderful whirlpool baths revolutionized... Read More

Cleaning House and the 80-20 Rule

Cleaning house is one of those things that needs doing again... and again... and again! How can you make it less of a burden?When I taught time... Read More

Outdoor Decks - Understanding Seven Elements of Good Deck Design

You're all comfortable in your favorite lounge chair, reading your latest novel with a cool beverage nearby...the aroma of your favorite BBQ drifting from the grill teases... Read More

Marketing For The Home Builder

When one is looking into marketing for the home builder, one should find a number of tools to promote newly built homes and home-building offers:Advertising: the marketing... Read More

Aluminium Window Frames

When double glazing first became a popular window choice in the 1960s, most frames were made of aluminum. Aluminum remained the most popular choice for framing double... Read More

An Overview of Aluminium, Plastic and Timber Conservatories

Conservatories remain a popular accoutrement and attachment to homes throughout the United Kingdom and the world in the 21st century. Around for over three hundred years, conservatories... Read More

Skip Troweling Method for Textured Ceilings

There are several ceiling texture choices to choose from when finishing a room. You can simply apply a flat paint to the ceiling, or spray or roll... Read More

A Review of Popular Dehumidifier Products

There are at least two dozen brand names marketing dehumidifiers. Review this brief summary of five of the most commonly requested brands, and you'll be well on... Read More

A Checklist for Bathroom Remodeling Plans

Careful planning is the key to a successful bathroom-remodeling project. Before you begin any work in the bathroom, create a budget, a floor plan, a list of... Read More

Dual Pane Window Glass Repair

For the past few weeks, I have been explaining how to repair a broken window pane in your home. But, what if you have dual pane windows?... Read More

The Organized Move: Preparing Your Home for the Publics Eye

(This is the first in a series of three articles on "The Organized Move")The thought of moving can set most of us in a tailspin, but what... Read More

You Get What You Pay for when it Comes to Above Ground Pools

When you think about an above ground pool do you think of the inflatable toy baby pool? That's what I thought and boy was I wrong. In... Read More

An Introduction to Waterproofing Systems

Many homeowners find it necessary to invest in a waterproofing system for their home, especially if their home has a basement or cellar. In modern home developments,... Read More

Designing Great-looking Window Coverings on a Budget

Window coverings are one of the most important focal points in a well-decorated room, but choosing the right ones, at the right price, is a prime consideration... Read More

Hardwood Floor Care Will Keep Your Hardwood Looking Fantastic

Hardwood is still the homeowner's favorite choice of flooring and caring for it takes minimal effort. Unlike laminate or engineered wood, hardwood can be refinished many times,... Read More

Lighter Fluid: The Best Label and Scuff Mark Remover

The first time my husband saw me scrubbing the black heel marks off of our kitchen floor with a toothbrush, he said, "You know lighter fluid will... Read More

Traditional Interior Design

Traditional interior design encompasses a great variety of elements in a home. From the ceilings to the floor; including the trim, the wall finishes--all the way to... Read More

Get Rid Of Air Pollution In Your Home With House Plants

Do you know that formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas can cause severe health effects to us? Sources of formaldehyde are:- environmental tobacco smoke and combustion sources... Read More

Geothermal Heat Pumps 101

It seems like about three million of you have asked me to explain how a geothermal system works. Well, maybe not three million, but it's a bunch... Read More

Deck Building Basics

In my previous article, "planning for a new deck," I outlined the steps for planning for a new deck. This article takes the process one step further.... Read More

Home Fire Prevention Effectiveness 1

Are you aware that you can lose all your personal belongings in a single fire?It's very sad when fire strikes your home. You lose everything. You do... Read More

How To Choose The Canvas For Your Awning

The main factor for the canvas for your awning, it's to choose to do in PVC, because will be light and malleable.Between their advantages we have the... Read More