Stop Treating the Ice Dam. Start Looking for the Cause.
Recurring ice dams can be a sign that heat is escaping into the attic and warming parts of the roof when winter temperatures should be keeping it cold.
Grand Traverse Insulation helps Northern Michigan homeowners look beyond the ice itself to the attic conditions that may be contributing — including air leakage, insulation coverage, heat loss and ventilation.
The Ice at the Roof Edge Usually Starts With Heat Higher Up.
Ice dams form when snow melts on a warmer part of the roof, runs toward the colder roof edge and then refreezes.
As that cycle continues, a ridge of ice can build along the eave. Meltwater can then collect behind the ice instead of draining normally from the roof.
Snow Melts Higher on the Roof
Heat reaching the roof deck can warm areas beneath the snow enough to begin melting it.
Water Reaches the Colder Eave
Meltwater moves down the roof toward the overhang, where the roof surface is often colder.
The Water Refreezes
Repeated melting and refreezing can build an ice dam that traps additional water behind it.
The Important Question Is: Why Is the Roof Getting Warm?
Air leakage, uneven insulation, attic heat loss, ventilation and other building conditions can all play a role. That's why GTI looks beyond the visible ice.
Watch the Melt-and-Refreeze Cycle in Action.
Ice dams can begin when heat reaches the roof, melts snow and sends water toward the colder eaves where it can refreeze.
This short animation shows the basic cycle. For a deeper look at why ice dams may return in the same places year after year, read our full homeowner guide.
What Ice Dams May Be Telling You About the Attic.
The ice itself is easy to see. The conditions contributing to it are often hidden above the ceiling.
Large Ice Dams
Repeated buildup along the roof edge can be a sign that snow is melting higher on the roof and refreezing near the eave.
Heavy Icicle Growth
Large or recurring icicles can indicate repeated melting and refreezing rather than simply normal winter snow accumulation.
Uneven Snow Melt
Bare or thin areas surrounded by snow can sometimes point to uneven roof-deck temperatures and heat loss from below.
Water Stains or Leaks
Water backing up behind an ice dam can sometimes find its way beneath roofing materials and into ceilings or walls.
Warm or Uncomfortable Upstairs Rooms
Upstairs comfort problems can sometimes overlap with attic insulation or air-leakage conditions that also affect the roof.
The Same Problem Every Winter
If the ice returns in the same areas year after year, it is worth looking at the building conditions rather than only removing the visible ice.
Removing an Ice Dam Doesn't Necessarily Fix Why It Formed.
Roof raking or ice removal may deal with an immediate winter problem, but recurring ice dams are a reason to investigate air leakage, insulation coverage and other attic conditions that may be contributing.
Grand Traverse Insulation Checks More Than the Ice.
The goal is to understand why parts of the roof are warming enough to melt snow in the first place.
Grand Traverse Insulation evaluates the attic and building conditions that may be contributing so the recommendation is based on the cause, not just the winter symptom.
There Is Rarely One Universal Ice Dam Fix.
One home may need air sealing and insulation improvements, while another may have different attic or ventilation conditions. The right solution depends on what is actually happening in the building.
Air Leakage
Gaps around wiring, plumbing, framing and other penetrations can allow warm indoor air to move into the attic.
Insulation Coverage
Thin, uneven, missing or disturbed insulation can create areas where more heat reaches the roof assembly.
Attic Conditions
The existing attic layout, roof assembly, obstructions and other building conditions can influence how heat moves through the space.
Ventilation
Attic ventilation is another part of the overall system and should be considered along with insulation and air sealing when evaluating recurring ice dam conditions.
Fixing Recurring Ice Dams Starts With Finding the Heat Loss.
Grand Traverse Insulation looks at the attic and building conditions that may be contributing before recommending insulation or air-sealing improvements.
Start With the Problem Area
We look at where the ice dams are forming, how often they occur and what other symptoms you may be noticing in the home.
Inspect the Attic
Insulation coverage, air leakage, framing, ventilation and other visible attic conditions are reviewed for potential contributors.
Identify the Likely Causes
Grand Traverse Insulation can determine whether heat loss, air leakage, insulation or another attic condition appears to be part of the problem.
Recommend the Right Improvements
If improvements are needed, the recommendation may include air sealing, insulation work or other appropriate steps based on the conditions found.
Tired of Dealing With the Same Ice Dam Every Winter?
Grand Traverse Insulation can help look for the underlying attic conditions that may be allowing the problem to return.
Ice Dam Questions From Northern Michigan Homeowners.
Ice dams can look simple from the outside, but the conditions contributing to them can vary from home to home.
Ice dams typically form when snow melts on a warmer portion of the roof, flows toward a colder roof edge and refreezes. Heat loss, air leakage, insulation coverage, attic conditions, ventilation, roof design and weather can all influence the process.
Not necessarily. More insulation may be part of the solution, but air leakage and other attic conditions also matter. Grand Traverse Insulation looks at the overall attic before recommending additional insulation.
Not always. Icicles can form under a variety of winter conditions. However, large or recurring icicles along with roof-edge ice buildup or uneven snow melt can be a reason to investigate attic conditions.
Removing ice can help address an immediate buildup, but it does not necessarily correct the conditions that allowed the ice dam to form. If the same problem returns every winter, it is worth investigating the attic and heat-loss conditions.
They can. Water may collect behind an ice dam and, under some conditions, work beneath roofing materials. That can contribute to leaks, staining or moisture entering parts of the roof, ceiling or wall assembly.
A recurring problem is a good reason to have the attic evaluated. Grand Traverse Insulation can look at air leakage, insulation coverage and other attic conditions that may be contributing to the repeated snow-melt and refreezing cycle.
Find Out Why the Ice Keeps Coming Back.
Grand Traverse Insulation helps Northern Michigan homeowners identify attic and insulation conditions that may be contributing to recurring ice dams and winter comfort problems.