What Should You Do If There’s Ice on Your Roof?

Image credit

As you probably know, there are things you need to do in order to prepare your home for winter, right? But most people don’t really seem to know or realize is that their roof needs some protection too. Now sure, snowy rooftops and icicles might look straight out of a holiday movie, but if there’s an ice dam forming up there, things are about to get a lot less festive. That beautiful frozen buildup isn’t just an innocent decoration, well, it’s a roof-wrecking disaster waiting to happen.

An ice dam happens when snow on the roof melts, slides down, and refreezes at the edge, forming a solid block of ice. Instead of draining properly, water gets trapped behind it and has nowhere to go except back under the shingles, seeping into the house like an uninvited guest. The result? Well, there’s going to be leaks, soggy insulation, peeling paint, and potentially some very expensive repairs. You really can’t ignore it, there’s just no choice.

It needs to go, but getting rid of it the wrong way can make everything so much worse.

How Can You Break Up an Ice Dam?

Okay, for starters, there is a right way and a very wrong way to handle an ice dam. So, just grabbing a hammer or shovel to it might seem like a good idea, but smashing away at ice sitting on fragile shingles is a disaster waiting to happen. Basically, one wrong move and suddenly the roof has more than just an ice problem, it has missing shingles, dents, and a whole new set of issues. But even dumping hot water on it sounds like a simple fix, but all that does is melt the top layer and refreeze everything underneath, making the ice dam even thicker.

Honestly, you’re far better off just getting some professional help, so it’s best to look into some roofing companies to get the job done (and they’ll do it the right way). Besides, there won’t be any damage in the process once they step in.

Remember, They’re a Sign Something’s Off

Well, an ice dam isn’t just bad luck. It’s a flashing neon sign that the roof’s insulation and ventilation need some serious attention. If warm air is leaking into the attic and melting the snow unevenly, the problem isn’t going away anytime soon (sure it might seem that way but really, it’s not).

But fixing insulation issues and making sure the attic stays properly ventilated stops ice dams before they even start. But even keeping gutters clear is another big one, because if they’re full of leaves and debris, water has nowhere to go, making it easier for ice to build up. But overall, a little prevention now saves a lot of stress (and money) later.

Because No One Wants to Deal with this Every Winter

Honestly, rightfully so. Because who would want to deal with this every year? Once an ice dam is finally gone, the goal is to never deal with one again. So that’s why regular roof maintenance, proper insulation, and keeping snow from piling up too much can make all the difference. 

A roof rake is a solid investment, letting snow get cleared before it has the chance to melt and refreeze into a solid block of regret. But even the roofer you hired will help out with prevention too.