How Roof Ridge Ventilation Helps Prevent Ice Dams
Winter often brings with it several concerns for homeowners. As well as increased energy prices and clogged drainpipes, some people have to deal with ice dams on their roofs. When left untreated, they can cause big problems for the roof itself and damage the structural integrity of the house.
That is unless you have a dry fixed roof with in-built roof ridge ventilation. These sorts of roofs naturally prevent ice dams from forming. So, they can save you money and an awful lot of hassle.
Keep reading to find out how roof ridge ventilation prevents ice dams and what to do if you’re dealing with a dam right now.
What Is an Ice Dam?
Ice dams are large, solid chunks of ice that form at the edge of your roof. As they build, they create a sort of barrier that causes all kinds of problems. For example, ice dams can prevent snow from melting. They also get in the way of water naturally draining from the roof. More on this in a moment.
Icicles overhanging the edge of your roof are a sign you may have an ice dam. However, if those icicles are confined to the gutters, you have less reason to worry. That suggests that you don’t have an ice dam, after all. Still, they might be an early indication that one is about to build. So, remove icicles safely, either by yourself or with the help of a licensed contractor.
How Do Ice Dams Form?
On wintry days, if the temperature inside a roof is too high, it can cause fallen snow to melt. However, very often, the parts of a roof that overhang the side of a house will remain below freezing. That cold spot can then freeze the melted snow or water as it travels down. Over time, this frozen water turns into a hardened ridge of ice across the coldest parts of the roof.
Higher up, where the roof is warmer, the water will not freeze. However, with a barrier of ice blocking its path, there is nowhere for it to go. So, that water will sit where it is, which will eventually cause extensive damage. Generally speaking, flatter roofs are more susceptible to this problem.
Why Are Ice Dams a Problem?
Ice dams become a problem when the water trapped on the roof makes its way into the house below. This is because, when the standing water flows into gaps and cracks in the roof, it can cause leaks. If the ice dam isn’t removed, the leak will only get worse over time. Eventually, this will lead to extensive damage to the roof cavity, which can be very dangerous.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, ice dams can also uproot shingles and loosen gutters. As such, it’s important to deal with them right away. Or, better still, prevent them altogether. You’ll learn more about both solutions below.
How to Get Rid of Ice Dams
You have to be careful when dealing with ice dams because an improper approach can lead to more damage. As such, you should ideally get a professional to sort the problem out for you. However, if you can’t get hold of a contractor for whatever reason, here are three things you can try instead:
- Remove snow: You can remove snow from the roof with a long-handled roof rake, operated from the ground. Do not attempt to remove snow or ice with a chisel, hammer, or similar instrument. Doing so could damage the roofing materials beneath.
- Create troughs: You can use an ice melter or even a leg from an old pair of pantyhose to create troughs in the ice. Simply fill the leg with calcium chloride, tie it at the top, and lie it vertically on the dam. This will gradually melt the ice and form a sort of tunnel through which water can flow.
- Clear out gutters: If you clear the gutters, less water will get stuck on the roof. This can help to prevent ice dams from worsening and may also make your troughs more effective.
The Only Cure for Ice Dams
While there are a few things you can do to try and get rid of ice dams, there is only one way to prevent them completely: roof ridge ventilation. You see, in a well-ventilated roof, the internal temperature remains consistent. So, snow won’t melt higher up and freeze as it travels downwards.
Roof ridge ventilation is becoming increasingly popular as roofers catch on to the benefits of dry fixed roofing. With dry fixed roofing, eaves vents are installed to create a natural cooling passive system in the roof’s structure. This allows air to enter the space beneath the shingles and escape again through a ridge further up.
As the air moves through the roof, it ventilates the roof cavity and prevents heat from building within. That doesn’t just help to keep the house below a comfortable, even temperature. It also ensures that cold weather has no way of wreaking havoc on the roof itself. As a result, dry fixed roofing rarely (if ever) requires post-installation maintenance.
Preventing Ice Dams With Dry Fixed Roofing
Its ability to prevent ice dams is just one of dry fixed roofing’s many benefits. So, by getting a dry fixed roof installed with in-built roof ridge ventilation, you can stave off excessive winter expenses.
Stick with a traditional mortar roof, however, and you could end up facing an outsized bill and concerning structural damage. Even if you attempt to remove ice dams yourself, some of the harm will already have been done. Roof ridge ventilation is, therefore, the only sure-fire way forward.