ICE ICE BABY, how to prevent ice dams.
- northwayhomeinspec
- Dec 30, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Ice dams can be a significant issue during cold winter months in Minnesota and they always seem to be present on 1 1/2 story homes. These dams can form on the edges of roofs, preventing proper drainage and potentially causing water damage to your home. Most ice dams are formed by air leaks, poor ventilation and also poor attic insulation. Here are some preventive measures to help you avoid ice dams:
1. Sealing Air Leaks: Identify and seal any air leaks in the attic, such as gaps around chimneys, light fixtures, and plumbing vents. This prevents warm air from reaching the roof. Sealing Air leaks will help the most, and possibly be the cheapest to do.
2. Adequate Ventilation: Ensure proper attic ventilation to maintain a consistent temperature. This helps prevent the roof from warming unevenly and causing snow to melt and refreeze at the eaves. Install soffit vents and ridge vents to facilitate a continuous flow of air through the attic.
3. Proper Insulation: Ensure your attic is well-insulated to prevent warm air from escaping and heating the roof, which can lead to snowmelt. Before adding more insulation, check for air leakage. Use insulation with a high R-value and make sure it is evenly distributed to cover the entire attic space. The current minimum required R value on new builds in Minnesota is R-49. I'd recommend not using fiberglass batt insulation in the attic and go with a type of blown insulation.
5. Snow Removal: Safely remove snow from your roof using a roof rake or hire professionals to do so. Do not use tools that could damage the roofing material. Clear snow away from roof edges to prevent the formation of ice dams. If you have a 1 1/2 story house I highly recommend doing this or at least installing heated cables.
6. Heated Cables: Install electric heating cables along the roof edges to melt ice and create a path for water drainage. However, this is more of a reactive measure and may not address the root cause of the issue. They do not prevent ice dams, but create drainage channels for the water. If your not able to use a roof rake, I'd suggest heated cables: easy heat, and frost king make some good ones just make sure to follow manufacturer's instructions.
By taking these preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of ice dams forming on your roof and minimize the potential for water damage to your home. Regular maintenance and proactive steps can go a long way in ensuring the integrity of your house.
