How To Fix Roof Leak From Ice Dam

A correct diagnosis of where leaks are occurring is helpful in making the right repair to stop ice dam leaks in the future.

How to fix roof leak from ice dam.

Poor ventilation and temperature control in the attic can also cause ice dams. The soffit that meets the roof is one of the toughest areas to waterproof. An ice dam can damage both your roof and the inside of your home. This article describes illustrates the steps in pinpointing the point of water entry from a roof ice dam leak.

First get rid of any built up snow using a roof rake used for single family homes with pitched roofs or shoveling it off on flat roofs or when there s a significant amount. Rake the snow off the roof with a special roof rake install heat cables in ice dam prone valleys or other spots and to prevent leaks add special ice and water barrier when reroofing. It will put gutters and downspouts at risk too. 5 steps to handling ice dam damage if you suspect an ice dam developed on your roof there are things you can do right away to minimize the damage.

An ice dam occurs when snow melts and the water freezes when it hits the colder edges of your roof. Ice dams are a common sight in northern new england winters and home partners has dealt with quite a few. Ice accumulates along the eaves forming a dam. There it soaks the insulation rendering it much less effective and can leak through the ceiling drywall below and into your living space.

Secondary ways to stop ice dam damage. The ice begins to back up under the roof shingles where it melts again soaking the roof sheathing and leaking into the attic. Hacking away at ice dams with a hammer chisel or shovel is bad for your roofing and dangerous for you. For an ice dam to form there must be snow on the roof.

An ice dam is a hump of ice that forms at the edge of a roof under certain wintertime conditions. Snow melts on the warm roof and then freezes on the cold eaves. Roof ice dam leak diagnosis repair. There is yet another fix but it will not prevent ice dams only leaks from them.

What causes ice dams. The higher surfaces of the roof s surface must be above 32 f and lower surfaces below 32 f. In the photo you can still see signs of an ice dam. And that is a covering of an ice and water shield a rubbery membrane that prevents dammed water from getting.

A dam will grow on the parts of the roof that are below freezing.