Water leaks in winter mean one thing, ice dams. Here’s how to fix ice dams. With the hard winter we’ve had, and then a few warm days, the ice dam on our roof caused water to run into our house. In this how to video, I show you how to deal with ice dams, how to try to remove and prevent them from leaking from your roof in to your home.
BE VERY CAREFUL when using a ladder, especially in winter. And as always, use of this information is at your own risk. Get a friend or two to help you.
Ice dams happen when warm air in the attic helps to melt ice and snow, and then the water re-freezes. This ice can work its way up underneath shingles and then this water leaks into your house. A bad thing.
So, how to fix an ice dam? Carefully. You are up on a ladder and its cold out. You have tools in your hands, you are wearing boots, heavy clothes. Be Careful. K?
Patrick
Haha! I just took care of my ice dams two weeks ago. I used a hammer and flat head screwdriver to chip away at the ice. Always parallel with the roof so as to not damage the shingles, etc. Then I put a whole bunch of salt up there.
Another trick I read about is to fill an old stocking with salt/ice melter. Then to place the stocking on the roof perpendicular and overlapping the gutter. Here’s a link I found with this trick.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/skill-builder/0,,211604,00.html
This trick is a bit easier and safer than the hammer/mallet method. LOL!
Kris from Hamden
When I noticed the centerpiece in my dining room full of water I looked up and realized the chandelier was ‘raining’ on my table :0( My husband shoveled off the roof and disconnected the leader from the gutter (leader was frozen solid for about 10ft) and made a hole in the drain of the gutter the leak slowed and then stopped completely but not before causing major damage to the ceiling and carpet!! I’ve heard from roofers that salt and shingles don’t mix well, salt will erode the shingle and damage the roof. The stocking full of ice melt dangling in the gutter is ok as far I know.
MrILoveTheAnts
If this happens every year, the slight water damage this causes to the wood might be what attracted the Carpenter ants you had last year.