Maintenance · 6 min read
Ice Dams in Ohio: Why They Form and How to Stop Them
Published
Every January we get calls about water running down interior walls with no rain in the forecast. That's an ice dam, and it isn't really a roofing problem — it's a heat problem.
The mechanism
Heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the upper roof. The meltwater runs down to the eave, which is unheated and below freezing, and refreezes there. The resulting ice ridge holds back the next round of meltwater, which backs up under the shingles and into the house.
Why raking snow isn't the answer
Roof rakes help temporarily and damage shingles if used aggressively. Heat cables melt a channel but do nothing about the underlying heat loss and add to your electric bill every winter.
The real fixes
Air seal the attic floor — recessed lights, top plates, and the attic hatch are the main leak paths. Bring insulation up to R-49. Ensure soffit intake is open so the deck stays cold. Ice and water membrane at the eaves won't prevent the dam but will keep the backed-up water out of your house.
Where it's worst
Bellefontaine, Sidney, and Russia see the most persistent dams in our service area because they hold snow longest. Story-and-a-half homes anywhere in Miami County are especially vulnerable because the knee wall areas are almost impossible to ventilate as originally built.
If any of this applies to your own home, our roof replacement crews handle it every week, and you can see how we work in your area on our Troy, Ohio roofing page. Inspections and written estimates are free either way — call 937-749-7767.