If you are wondering what ice dams are, here is the answer. Ice dams are formed due to the accumulation of snow on your roofs and improper insulation in your house. Ice dams can cause water damage by making your roofs leak, leading to cracks in your walls and staining or peeling your wall paint.

In the winter season, snow gets accumulated on the roof of your house. The heat coming from your house leads to this snow getting melted. This melted water trickles under the accumulated snow and flows into the gutters of the house. Since the weather is cold, this water again freezes in the gutter. This keeps on happening all over and leads to the ice in the gutter forming a barrier which prevents the melted snow from flowing down. This is how ice dams are developed.

If ice dams have already formed on your roof, you need to take some effective and quick steps. If you don't, ice dams will lead to further water damage to your property.

First, get the help of an expert. Since the roof will be slippery, it will be dangerous for you to stand on it.

Next, remove all the ice on your roof. You do not want the problem of ice dams to get worse. So get rid of all the ice.

Lastly, make channels inside the ice dams. Run warm water through these channels. The warm water flowing through these channels will help in melting the ice.

However, why wait for ice dams to form, if you can easily prevent them by adopting some very simple and easy measures. A permanent solution to this problem is proper insulation. Ice dams form when the temperature of the outer roof falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check if your insulation is installed correctly. It should be dry and in working order. It should be replaced or repaired if it is damaged. If it is wet, it should be allowed to dry. Effective insulation will help in the proper regulation of heat loss from your house and will prevent the formation of ice dams.

Increase the insulation on the roof by reducing heat loss with the help of conduction. However, make sure that your roof is sturdy enough to handle the added weight.

Work out ways and take preventive measures which can help in stopping the formation of ice dams. Be aware. If you are faced with the problem of ice dams being formed, you should already know what the solutions are. You awareness and knowledge will not only help you limit the water damage caused by ice dams but will also help you in preventing their formation.