What Are Ice Dams?

An ice dam is a buildup of ice along the edge of your roof, typically near the gutters. It forms when heat from your home escapes through the attic, warming the roof and melting the underside of accumulated snow. That meltwater trickles down to the colder roof edge, refreezes, and creates a ridge of ice.

The more the ice dam builds up, the more water it blocks from draining off of your roof. With nowhere to go, the water backs up under your shingles or into your attic, walls, and ceilings, causing water damage, wood rot, and mold.

Ice dams are most common after heavy snowfalls followed by daytime thaws and nighttime freezes—something we’re all too familiar with here in The Quad Cities.

What Causes Ice Dams?

While snow and cold temperatures are a factor, the real culprit behind ice dams is heat loss from your home.

When your attic is too warm, it melts the snow on the roof. That means:

Poor attic insulation allows heated air to rise and collect at the roof deck. Air leaks from recessed lighting, ductwork, or poorly sealed hatches allow warm, indoor air to seep into the attic.

Insufficient roof ventilation keeps the underside of the roof warm instead of cold and dry.

The result? A perfect storm of melting and freezing that can damage your roof and drive up your heating costs.

How do ice dams form on Iowa roofs?

Ice Dams Are a Sign of Deeper Home Issues

If you’ve dealt with ice dams in the past, or you want to prevent them before they start, here’s something worth considering: Ice dams are often a symptom of bigger problems with your home’s roofing or gutter systems.

That’s where Sieren Roofing comes in.

You don’t have to wait to see a water leak before taking action. Get ahead of ice dams and on top of your energy bills this winter by giving us call at 563-549-0279

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