How to Stop Ice From Causing Roof Leaks

Shovel snow and ice off of your roof when conditions allow for safe removal. Getting rid of some of the precipitation can prevent the formation of ice dams and leakage that may occur. The University of Massachusetts Amherst Building and Construction Technology Department advises homeowners to weight the benefits with the risks for injury when considering snow removal from a roof.

Insulate your attic or crawlspace to reduce the likelihood of ice dam formation. At least 12 inches of fiberglass insulation can keep the roof temperature consistent with the outside air temperature, without the risk of warm air from the house leaking out and causing melting. University of Massachusetts experts point out that installing ceiling insulation on an existing home may be more difficult than factoring it into plans for a new home.

Ventilate your roof to reduce the leakage of warmth from inside the house. Installing soffit or ridge vents on the roof creates air circulation that maintains a cool roof temperature. Hometime.com recommends installing 1 square foot of venting per 300 square feet of roof space.