What is an Ice Dam?  Do I need to know?

Ice Dams are a funny thing.  You won’t see an ice dam in Southern California or in Florida but you will see them more than you think in the Midwest.   Ice Dams are specific to homes..and more specific to the roof of a home.

Basically an ice dam happens when there’s a lot of snow on a roof works its way to the seam of a roof and soffit and then with the help of inside temps, creates an ice barrier that then leaks inside the structure.  This usually results in a big, watery mess damaging the walls (inside and out) and a fairly large bill to deal with it.

The Anatomy of an Ice Dam

Prevention is best

Of course, preventing an ice dam from occurring on your house is the best plan of attack.  According to the Family Handyman he suggests many things that will help prevent ice damming.  The one major thing is that a homeowner should keep adequate insulation in the attic.  This will keep your roof from heating up and causing the start of the ice dam-melting of snow.  After a snowfall, look at your roof.  If you see “bare spots” (no snow), this may be a sign of inadequate attic insulation.  If you do see bare spots, make sure you monitor your roof for signs of ice dams.  Icicles are also a possible sign.

Another layer of prevention is to make sure you have adequate homeowner’s insurance coverage.  There are many different types of homeowner’s insurance and each policy must be reviewed to make sure you have the appropriate coverage that deals with ice dams on your home.  According to Allstate Insurance, there are many nuances with ice dams.  It’s best to consult with your Allstate Insurance agent.

For more information on ice dams and homeowners insurance, call (331) 223-9788