The sight of icicles hanging from the eves of your house is pretty, but it actually indicates the present of a hidden danger—ice dams. The presence of an ice dam in your home is a sign that your attic is not properly insulated or sealed against moisture. And ice dams can cause warping and rotting along the eaves of your house, which can lead to extensive and expensive repairs in the future.

Ice dams form when the top part of the roof is warmer than the bottom. The warm temperatures melt the snow and ice on top of the roof. The water then slides down to the edges of the roof and freezes again close to the eves of the house, often creating icicles. The best way to avoid this problem is to ensure that your attic is properly insulated and sealed against leaks and moisture.

Try some of the following steps to avoid ice dams and other moisture problems in your attic:

• Add spray or batt insulation inside your attic to prevent the heat from the home escaping through the attic.
• Vent all indoor fans, such as bathroom fans or exhaust fans out of the house, rather than into the attic.
• Seal all air leaks inside the attic with caulking or weather stripping. You may want to enlist the help of a qualified professional to find and seal attic leaks.
• Replace the underside of the roof's eaves with ridged vents, which will prevent moisture from lingering inside the attic.
• Install rafter vents to prevent water on the roof from collecting and creating ice dams.
• Brush snow off of the roof using a broom or “roof rake” to prevent the snow from melting and causing dams and icicles. Take care not to damage the shingles on the roof.

For more information about preventing ice dams and keeping your home safe year-round, contact JonLe Heating & Cooling. We provide Greater Cincinnati-area homeowners with expert HVAC service and care, and we are happy to assist you in prolonging the life of your roof, attic and home.

Icicle image via Shutterstock.