If you’re like most people, you probably don’t spend much time in the attic. In fact, the vast
majority of Canadians go up to their attics only when dealing with a leaky roof or “animal
intruders” like bats or squirrels.
During the winter however, attics are vulnerable to an even greater and potentially more
damaging problem: ice damming. Ice dams are large accumulations of ice that collect on the lip of
your roof or in the gutters. Once they’ve set in, ice dams can cause melting snow or rain to
accumulate under your shingles and seep into the attic and your home.
Houses more prone to ice dams often have inadequate insulation or major leakage of warm air
from the home into the attic. They also have complicated roof shapes that concentrate water
drainage into small areas and a “patchy” melt pattern when covered with frost or snow. Therefore,
one way to avoid ice damming is to ensure that attics are well sealed and insulated.
However, should ice damming occur, quick fixes range from attaching electric cables to attacking
the ice with an axe. But each of these “home remedies” also comes with its own drawbacks,
ranging from creating an eyesore or damaging your shingles, to creating the possibility you will slip
and fall off a ladder.
Fortunately, there are more effective solutions to help you protect your house, your health – and
potentially save thousands of dollars in roof repairs. The Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation (CMHC) has the following tips on how to spot, prevent and remove ice dams from
your roof. Depending on your roof and the age of your home, these solutions include: