Dealing with ice dams

Ice dams—ugh. They’re sneaky, destructive, and very winter-real. Here’s a clear, practical way to deal with them nowand keep them from coming back.

🚨 What to Do Right Now (Damage Control)

1. Remove snow safely

• Use a roof rake (from the ground) to clear 3–6 feet of snow above the gutters.
• Don’t climb on icy roofs—seriously not worth it.

2. Melt channels through the ice

• Fill old socks or pantyhose with calcium chloride ice melt (not rock salt).
• Lay them perpendicular across the ice dam so they melt a drainage path.
• This lets trapped water escape instead of backing into your house.

3. Watch for interior warning signs

• Water stains on ceilings or walls
• Peeling paint or bubbling drywall
  If you see these, act fast—ice dams cause hidden damage.

4. Call a pro if it’s severe

• Roofing or ice-dam removal companies use steam, which removes ice without damaging shingles.

🛠️ Long-Term Prevention (This Is the Real Fix)

Ice dams happen because your roof is warm and your eaves are cold. Fix the temperature imbalance and you fix the problem.

✅ Improve attic insulation

• Seal gaps around attic hatches, lights, vents, and chimneys.
• Add insulation to keep heat inside your house, not melting roof snow.

✅ Air seal & ventilate

• Make sure attic ventilation is clear and balanced (soffit + ridge or gable vents).
• Cold attic = cold roof = no ice dams.

✅ Clean & maintain gutters

• Clogged gutters trap water that refreezes.
• Keep them clear before winter hits.

✅ Roof upgrades (if recurring)

• Install ice & water shield under shingles at roof edges.
• Heated gutter cables can help—but they’re a band-aid, not a cure.

❌ What Not to Do

• Don’t chip ice with hammers, axes, or shovels (roof damage city).
• Don’t use rock salt—it corrodes metal and ruins landscaping.
• Don’t ignore small leaks—they grow fast.