Ice Dams & Attic Bypasses

If the snow on your roof is melting into long icicles, you may have ice dams on your roof.  Your house may be at risk for leaks into the eaves, which can damage the ceilings, walls and overhangs (soffits).  Ice dams are often caused by warm air leaks from the house into the attic. 

We are experts at diagnosing the causes of ice dams and frosted attics.   We can show home owners the simple energy efficiency repairs needed to block off the air leaks that are the primary causes of ice dams.  We can often show you these air leaks, either visually, or by our Infrared Thermal Imaging. (IR camera)

Unfortunately, many authorities and so-called experts claim to have remedies for ice dams that either don't work, or increase the costs to heat your house.  A common ill-advised remedy is to increase the ventilation in the attic.  This simply helps pull more air out of the house, and may not solve the problem at all.  Another poor remedy is roof snow removal.  Don't get on a snow covered roof, and don't use metal tools to remove ice or snow.  The roof can handle the weight of the snow.  If the ice dam is causing leaks, the only safe way to have it removed is by steaming.  For more information on ice dam removal, see The Ice Dam Company.

If you have ice dams forming on your house, call us or use the form below to request an examination of the roof, eaves and attic.  Act quickly to prevent costly water damage.  Sealing the air leaks will also save energy and help keep you more comfortable.  See our Infrared Thermography information.  To help understand why interior heat loss is the cause of ice dams, look at unheated garages in your neighborhood.  Those buildings do not have ice dams.

Homes with leaky, damaged, uninsulated or unsealed attic hatches, loose fitting fireplace dampers, or drafty cold dryer vents will benefit from products offered by Battic Door Energy Conservation Products.  To see their products, click on the link below.

These St. Paul area townhouses have ice dams and icy entrances due to complex roof and air leaks from the houses into the attic. Part of the problem in this case is the complexity of the roof design which leads to uneven solar heating of the roofs.   The issue of complex roof designs also occurs on many modern detached single family homes, particularly where an upper roof in sun, has melting snow which drains onto lower roofs in shadow. (Similar to the townhouses shown above).  For homes and townhomes in Minnesota, it is correct to say that "Valleys are villians".  For more ice dams see our Trouble Houses page and scroll down to April 2010, Marcy 2010,  and March 2007 .