4 Things To Know About Ice Dams Including How To Get Rid Of Them

A house on Woodhaven Street in Mattapan with lots of excessive snow and ice on the roof. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

BOSTON With a weekend forecast of snow and freezing rain, many roofs may be at risk of developing ice dams. Heres what you need to know about them including how to get rid of them:

What is an ice dam?

Ice dams are the shelves of ice that often build up on the edges roofs after snowstorms, when freezing temperatures move in, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They can cause damage to roofs and water leaks inside your home. Ice dams also prevent snow from sliding off roofs, allowing it to pile up more.

What causes ice dams to form?

A graphic of how an ice dam forms. (Courtesy FEMA)

Ice dams are caused by snow, heat and cold. First snow falls on the roof. Then heat from inside a home melts some of the snow. The melting snow runs down the roof and the outside cold refreezes it. This builds up and forms an ice dam.

How do you prevent ice dams?

The best way to prevent ice dams is with adequate attic insulation and roof ventilation, and to make sure air leaks in the attic are sealed, according to FEMA. Ideally, this should be taken care of when the house is built. It can be done at later points by professionals, especially as part of roof repair or remodeling.

How do you remove ice dams?

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4 Things To Know About Ice Dams Including How To Get Rid Of Them