Why Ice Dams Keep Forming This Winter

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof.  The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.

This February has broken records in multiple areas and has been one of the worst February’s in history.  Because of this, ice dams have been forming more than usual, wreaking havoc on people’s roofs and homes.  Most of the ice dam issues are strictly because of this horribly brutal February, but they can also be caused by lack of ventilation and/or insulation.

Ice dams are forming on even the best roofing systems.  The freezing temperatures and amount of precipitation were the causes of most of the ice dams in February.  Now that it’s starting to warm up during the day and then freezing again in the evening, it will only get worse until all the dams can be removed or melted.  This is happening in areas where ice and water shields would not normally be applied, as Ohio code for an ice and water shield is 3 feet up a heated wall.

It is important to get the ice dams on roofs cleared before a leak starts.  This way, there is no damage inside the house from a leak, and it doesn’t have to be damage control but instead will be leak prevention.  If you need an ice dam removed in the Cleveland area, contact Triple Peaks Roofing.