An ice dam has the potential to cause serious
damage to both your roof and the inside of your home. It is important to take
the right steps to protect your home from the risks associated with heavy snow
and ice
What is
an ice dam?
An ice dam can form when water from melting snow re-freezes at
the edge of your roof line. Without roof snow removal, the ice dam may grow
large enough to prevent water from draining off the roof. The water can then
back up underneath the roof shingles and make its way inside your home
Immediate steps you
can take:
- Clear
downspouts. An easy way to help snow and ice drain off your roof is to
make sure the area around your downspouts is clear. This will make it
possible for your gutters to drain when snow does melt. It will also help
prevent flooding when the snow and ice melts.
- Remove
snow from your roof after every storm. Use a roof rake to clear the first
three to four feet of snow from your roof immediately after each winter
storm to prevent ice dams from forming. While the amount of snow and ice
that your roof can handle may vary depending on a number of factors such
as the roof type, age and condition of the structure, a good rule of thumb
is if there is more than a foot of heavy, wet snow and ice on your roof,
you should try to have it removed.
Longer-term prevention
Ultimately, the best prevention for ice dams is to eliminate the
conditions that make it possible for them to form in the first place.
- Insulate
your attic. Make sure your attic is well insulated to help prevent the
melting-and-freezing cycle that causes ice dams to form. Check and seal
places where warm air could leak from your house to the attic, including
vent pipes, exhaust fans, chimneys, attic hatches and light fixtures.
- Install
a water-repellent membrane. When replacing a roof, make sure to install a
water membrane underneath the shingles. This acts as an extra barrier that
helps prevent water from seeping inside the building.
Removing snow from your roof
Clearing the first three to four feet of snow from your roof
immediately after each winter storm can help prevent ice dams from forming.
- If
you have a flat roof that is easily reached from an interior stairway, you
may want to shovel the roof. When de-icing, remember to put safety first
any time you are on a roof, especially one that is covered in snow and
ice. If you have any doubt, leave it to the professionals.
- If
you have a sloped roof, it may be possible to remove the snow and ice
using a roof rake, a long-handled tool designed specifically for this
purpose. Stand on the ground and pull as much of the snow off the eaves as
you can safely reach. It is not necessary to remove all the snow; removing
the first three to four feet of snow closest to the gutters will help
alleviate these issues.
- If
you cannot reach the roof, many homebuilders, landscaping and roofing
contractors, and property maintenance companies will remove snow and ice
from roofs. Before hiring a contractor, Travelers encourages you to check
references. Always be sure your contractor is insured and bonded.
We do not recommend using a ladder in snowy and icy conditions.
This can be extremely dangerous and is best left to professionals.
Removing ice dams
Just because an ice dam is present does not necessarily mean
water has penetrated the roof membrane. However, it is always best to remove
ice dams before they have the opportunity to cause damage. To determine if you
have damage, look for water stains or moisture in the attic or around the tops
of exterior walls on the top floor.
- If
you can reach the roof safely, try to knock the ice dam off with a roof
rake, or cut a channel through the ice to allow standing water to drain.
- If
you cannot reach the roof safely, consider hiring a contractor to remove
it.
- Another
method is to fill a nylon stocking with calcium chloride ice melt and
place it vertically across the ice dam so that it melts a channel through
the dam. If you try this method, make sure you can safely position the ice
melt on your roof, and make sure to use calcium chloride, not rock salt.
Rock salt will damage your roof. Also be aware that shrubbery and
plantings near the gutter or downspout may be damaged.
- Look
carefully at large icicles. If the icicles are confined to the gutters and
there is no water trapped behind them, this does not indicate the presence
of an ice dam. However, large icicles can pose a danger to people when
they fall off. Try to safely knock the icicles off from the ground, making
sure not to stand directly beneath them. If you cannot reach them safely
from the ground, consider hiring a contractor to help.
Generally speaking, property owners are responsible for the cost
of preventive maintenance. However, each claim is unique, and coverage and
claim decisions always require an expert analysis by a licensed Claim
professional. Keep in mind that the cost of snow removal is likely to be
considerably less than the cost of roof damage or interior property damage
caused by water leaks.
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