01/23/2026
ICE DAMMING ON ROOFS
Here's a couple tips to help you out if you experience ice damming on your roof.
1. Do NOT... attempt to break up the ice. This will cause much more damage to the shingles
2. Experiencing an ice dam does NOT mean that something was wrong with your roof. Water will always find a way down and roofs naturally shed downwards. But when the water is trapped and more ice continues to melt, the water will slowly work its way uphill, and find a way in.
3. DO... Go into your attic space and put a box fan facing the area where the damming is occuring. This will help keep the area cool and in many cases it will refreeze. If you cannot access the area to put a fan, just ride it out. Some drywall and insulation is still WAY cheaper than the roof repairs you're going to need if you attempt to break it up from the top.
4. Ice damming typically occurs in the areas of the roof that are the last areas to receive sunlight. As the snow on your roof starts to melt, keep an eye on the areas that are not melting. These are the areas we recommend placing box fans in the attic to prevent an ice dam.
Don't get me wrong, we are in business to make money, but roof damage from homeowners, handymen and un-knowledgable contractors are homeowners biggest expenses in ice damming situations.
Stay safe everyone, and please remember... Do not let someone take a hammer to the ice on your roof!
