Tips to Avoid Ice Dams on Your Roof

Ice dams form when parts of your roof warm up and melt the snow over it. Melted ice run down the roof and refreeze near the edge.

Removing them can be a pain, especially if you don’t have the right equipment. As such, it’s best to keep them from forming in the first place. Grayline Services LLC, your trusted snow removal service in Silver Spring, Maryland, would like to share some tips on how you can prevent these obstacles from forming.

• Close attic bypasses
  One-third of the home’s heat escapes in the attic and most of that loss comes from leaks caused by unblocked walls, gaps in drywall, cracks, and more.
• Is your attic insulation level enough?
  Measure your insulation before winter starts. Upgrade attic insulation to an R-value of about R-40.
• Add roof vents
  Ventilation in the attic can help attract cold air and let warm air escape, cooling the attic and the roof in the process. Cool roofs, no melting.
• Use specialized products for ice dams
  You can find these adhesives online at an affordable price. Ice and water barrier is a type of self-sealing underlayment that adheres to the roof decking and waterproofs it.
• Clear snow off of your roof
  Rake the snow off of your roof after heavy snowfall. Installing heat cables help, too. If you cannot do this yourself, enlist the aid of snow cleaners, such as ourselves.

Snow services in Maryland would like to remind homeowners that ice dams themselves are not the problem, it’s the leakage. Leaks can damage your roof, attic, and gutter if not remedied immediately. As such, make sure to ask for professional help to get rid of the problem before it happens.