Avoiding Water Damage From Ice Dams In Bergen County NJ

What are ice dams?

Ice dams are formed when melting snow and ice refreeze above the edge of a roof. Subsequent water from melting snow and ice backs up under the shingles. This causes leaks and water damage to the interior of your home. The key to avoiding water damage from ice dams in Bergen County NJ is to ensure proper ventilation, drainage, and insulation. Here are some basic steps that consumers can take:

• Make sure gutters are clear of leaves and other
• Your roof and attic should be inspected for proper ventilation and insulation.
• Check and seal places where warm air could leak from your house to the attic. Light fixtures, vent pipes, exhaust ducts, chimneys, and attic hatches are often locations allowing warm air to
• If you have soffit vents in your eaves, make sure they are not blocked. Insulation surrounding them should be secure so that air can flow

Additional Steps

• Keep snow from accumulating on the lower three to six feet of your roof. Use specially made roof rakes to safely remove the snow.
• Install snow and ice slides to prevent ice and snow from adhering to the lower section of the
• Install a rubberized ice and water shield beneath the roof shingles for the first three to six feet up from the roofs
• Install special heating cable along the roofs edge to melt

Ice Dam Removal

• Do not use shovels, garden rakes, axes, etc. to remove or break-up ice dams. If you can safely reach the roof, fill a nylon stocking with calcium chloride ice melt. Place it vertically across the ice   dam so that it melts a channel through the dam. Make sure to use calcium chloride and not rock salt. Rock salt will damage your
• Consult a roofing