Ice Dams: How to Protect Your Illinois Roof This Winter

Every Metro East winter produces them: thick ridges of ice along roof edges that back water up under shingles and into ceilings. Here is what ice dams actually are and how to stop them.

How Ice Dams Form

Warm air escaping into an under-insulated attic melts snow on the upper roof. The water runs down to the cold eave, refreezes, and builds a dam. Behind the dam, melting water pools — with nowhere to go but under your shingles.

Prevention

1. Attic insulation — keep heat out of the attic so the roof stays uniformly cold.
2. Ventilation — ridge and soffit vents keep air moving so snow melts evenly or not at all.
3. Ice and water shield — a waterproof membrane at the eaves that we install on every new roof.

What Not to Do

Do not chop at the ice with an axe — damaged shingles will leak next spring. Rock salt damages gutters and landscaping. If an active dam is leaking into your home, call us: we can safely remove snow from the problem areas and assess the damage.

Ice dam prevention is one reason proper attic ventilation matters so much. Ask us to check yours at your free inspection.