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Last week, distressed homeowners sought our help as water leaked into their living space and damaged ceilings and walls. The problem was ice dams: ice formations that trap melted snow at the lower roof.

The cause. Too much heat was escaping from their living space into the attic or vaulted ceiling. Next, that heat warmed the underside of the roof deck and melted snow at upper-roof areas. Water ran down the surface of the roof and re-froze near the eaves. Subsequent water pooled at those formations, penetrated seams in the roof components, and damaged interior structures. 

Once ice dams form, very little can be done. Scaling a ladder to remove snow from a frozen roof is dangerous. Breaking the dams with roof rakes risks injury from falling icicles, as well as damaging the roof or gutters. 

The solution. Ice dams can be prevented by ensuring that your attic temperature and the outdoor temperature are nearly equal. Start with the following investments:

[+] seal all openings in your attic floor using polyurethane foam and other air sealing techniques;

[+] seal ducts that leak warm air into the attic and insulate those ducts;

[+] provide one square foot of attic ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic floor space;

[+] thoroughly insulate your attic floor (without obstructing soffit vents);

[+] install a gutter protection system or clean gutters semi-annually.

Return on investment. Avoiding ice dams may cost between $1,000 and $4,000, depending upon attic size and scope of work.  A certified building performance professional can help you determine the most cost-effective measures. 

The costs of this proverbial ounce of prevention pale to those associated with the pound of cure: immediate replacement of water-damaged ceilings and walls. Other long-term and costly repairs include wood rot at roof components, facia board, window and door trim, and siding. These air sealing, ventilation, and insulation investments in the attic also prove to be even wiser as monthly savings on fuel and electric bills accumulate. 

About the author:

Lorenzo Wyatt is co-owner of Mr. Handyman of Greater Fairfield County and a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified professional.  He has managed over 150 weatherization projects as a prime contractor for the ABCD-ARRA Weatherization Assistance Program, which is funded by the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services and U.S. Department of Energy. 

Some helpful links:

Solutions - http://www.mrhandymangreen.com

Ice dams - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_solutions.hm_improvement_icedams

Air sealing and Insulation - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing