I spent just a moment talking about Ice Dams in my most recent newsletter, but who wants to read about ice dams. I have been looking for a good cut-away or diagram and have yet to find one. I thought a picture of an ice dam might help but we have all seen them.  Its the underside and the damage they cause that is important.  One would think the recent warm weather would mean the end of ice dams and the problems they cause.  In reality the warm weather has brought on the final insult.  Once the ice dam is finished pushing water up under your shingles it will eventually melt.  When it does it will often slide of the roof.  I have heard stories and seen damage to A/C units and cars parked near a home, but I have never seen in person damage like I have seen these last two days.

I suppose the lesson we are learning is first try not to get them. Proper insiulation and attic venting can help. If you cannot avoid them, then you need to manage them. A roof rake can help clear snow at the eaves. If you can’t do any of that then at least try to control the when and the how of the fall.

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