Ice dams can make your roof collapse

Ice dams may not be the first thing you think of when your home is hit with a winter storm, but preventing them from forming may be one of the most important jobs you have in order to ensure your home isn't damaged, according to DIY Life.

You may ask, what is an ice dam? Well, according to DIY Life, an ice dam forms when water drips to the edge of a roof and freezes. The dam can severely damage the home, as it has the ability to rot the roof, allow water to drip into the attic, break gutters and destroy insulation in the home. It is important to stop these before they cause an indoor flood.

Many homes do not have the best ventilation, and due to this, the warm air can leave easily through the attic, DIY Life said. This causes all of that ice and snow at the top of the roof to melt and build up near the gutters, which is where the problem persists.

Don't worry that the only way to fix the issue is to put a ladder up in the snow and risk life and limb to get rid of the dam, DIY Life noted. That is actually a terrible idea and shouldn't be done by anyone other than an experienced professional.

Instead, the work will be in the attic, said DIY Life. The goal is to cool the roof, and the best way is through proper insulation. If the home is located in the northern part of the country, all attic insulation should be one-foot thick. This includes not only putting it in the walls of the attic, but also making sure there are no major gaps between each item.

Once the insulation is set, it is important to note where the vents are in the attic, according to DIY Life. This is vital to discover, as these items should be far enough away from the roof that they don't affect its temperature as much. If this isn't the case, it may be time to move those, as well.

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