Frozen downspout causing ice dam on roof.
Ice dam with frozen downspout on flat roof.
Fortunately you can reduce some of the issues associated with ice dams by using heat cables on roofs and gutters.
Ice dams are formed by the continuous melting and freezing of snow due to heat escaping from the house or from a backup of frozen slush from the rain gutters the melted water flows under the snow and freezes as it reaches the unheated soffit area at the eaves thus.
Ice dams and icicles form when the snow melts runs down your roof and refreezes near the edge.
As the ice dam forms it may be hidden under a pile of snow so you cannot see the damage it s causing.
Instead use a hair dryer or consumer grade heat gun to heat up the outside of the downspout near the ice blockage.
An ice dam may form on your roof when temperatures bounce back and forth from above freezing to below freezing.
A bit of warm water should be enough to break up frozen chunks and clear the blockage.
An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the underside of the layer of snow on the roof.
When gutters fill with water and freeze they cause the ice to build up and roll over the edge.
If the ground is safe and level grab a ladder and pour warm water into the top of the frozen downspout or gutter.
If a warm winter day isn t likely and you are concerned about your gutters or roof there is something you can try.
Striking frozen downspouts with a hammer or baseball bat in the hopes of breaking up the ice inside them may cause more damage and make the situation worse.
For best results start near the bottom of the downspout and work upward.
This only occurs when part of your roof warms to above 32 degrees f warm enough to melt the snow while the roof edge remains below freezing.
The heat transfer may dislodge the ice and let water start flowing.
You can also use a hose connected to a hot water tap to spray water on the outside of your frozen downspout.
Ask this old house general contractor tom silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams.
This scenario is often the result of a warm attic.
The water trickles down between the layer of snow and the shingles until it reaches the eave of the roof which stays cold because it extends beyond the side of the house.
