Don't Ignore Ice Dams on Your Roof—Here's How to Get Rid of Them

If you live in an area prone to prolonged winter weather, you’re probably all too familiar with the dreaded ice dam. However, you might not realize their seriousness. Damage from ice dams is one of the most common winter weather perils, according to John Micheli, senior vice president of property claims for Allstate. "There has been an increase in recent years,” Micheli says, "claims for ice dam-related damage were up 70 percent last winter compared to the previous winter."

Below, learn how to best prevent ice dams and protect your home from this specific type of winter weather damage.

Ice Dams, Explained

In winter, icicles and ice buildup along the eaves don’t happen just because of snowfall. "They also form because warm air from the house rises and melts the snow at the edge of the roof, causing water from melting snow to flow into the gutters and downspouts," explains Constantine Anest, owner at Ethos Roofing & Restoration. "Since these elements remain cold, the water freezes inside them, and ice gradually builds up, trapping the water." Thus, an ice dam is born.

Once formed, these ice dams trap additional snowfall and water, backing up the gutters and pooling all that moisture onto and along your roof. This can lead to major damage, including roof leaks, mold growth, and subsequent structural issues.

"Homes with inadequate insulation or air leaks into the attic are probably the most vulnerable," says Hannah Richter of ADCO Metals. Clogged gutters and short downspouts can exacerbate the problem, adds roofing expert Adam Yost.

How to Prevent Ice Dams From Forming

Anest recommends taking steps to prepare your home for winter well ahead of the season. These include cleaning your gutters in the fall and removing all autumn leaves before the snow begins to fall. “The simple rule is that melted snow has nowhere to go if the gutters are clogged,” he says. 

You also want to be sure your downspouts extend at least six feet from the house, advises Yost. This will help with the down flow. Overall, though, the most effective long-term solution for prevention ice dams is proper attic insulation, according to our experts. "It'll both prevent ice dams and lower your energy bills at the same time," explains Richter.

"This means proper attic insulation to stop heat from escaping, adequate ventilation so any heat that does get up there can escape without warming the roof deck, and sealing off any air leaks around light fixtures, plumbing vents, and attic hatches," Richter says. Some homeowners also install heat cables along the eaves as a backup system, he adds, though that's treating the symptom more than the cause. "The best long-term prevention investment is making sure your attic is properly sealed and insulated," he says.

How to Safely Remove Ice Dams From Roofs

First things first: Never climb onto an icy roof to remove an ice dam. You also don’t want to utilize hammers, chisels, open flame, high heat, or any type of salt. Any of these methods poses damage to your roof and personal safety risks.

Instead, consider using one of the safer methods recommended by our experts.

• Roof Rake: With your feet planted firmly on the ground, use a long rake to pull snow from the bottom three to six feet of the roof. You don’t need to clear the entire roof, Yost says; just enough to stop additional snow from feeding the dam.
• Calcium Chloride Socks: Fill a long tube sock or pantyhose with calcium chloride and lay it perpendicular to the ice dam, suggests Richter. This will create a channel for water to drain. 
• Warm Water: If you can reach the gutters safely and without risk, Yost advises pouring warm water to open paths. However, it usually refreezes quickly, so be mindful that this is a temporary fix and you may have to clear away debris quickly before the cycle begins again.

When to Call a Roofing Professional

Professionals have steam equipment that can safely remove ice without damaging roofing materials, says Richter, and they can spot underlying issues you might miss with the naked eye. If you're dealing with ice dams year after year, that's a sign of a bigger insulation or ventilation problem that needs expert diagnosis, he advises.

Also, don't hesitate to seek professional help if you need a ladder to reach problem areas when clearing away ice dams. Icy conditions make climbing ladders especially unsafe, and professionals have the equipment and experience to do so safely.

If ice dams are causing water to leak into your home or damage to your property, Micheli says it’s important to act fast. “Document everything with photos and videos, move furniture and valuables to prevent further harm, and file your insurance claim right away,” he says. Costs can accumulate quickly.