As Snow & Ice Melt, Some Homeowners Deal With New Set Of Problems

By Dan Bewley and Terry Hood, The News On 6

CREEK COUNTY -- The ice and snow are starting to melt, but that could bring a different set of problems.

It's called an ice dam, a buildup of ice at the edge of your roof that could leak inside your home.

"First we started with one, then it came to two, then it came to seven," said Jim Stuart, a homeowner.

Jim Stuart noticed a big problem in his home late Saturday night. An ice dam had formed on his roof and water was leaking inside.

Ice dams are common after a snow or ice storm. It forms when the ice melts at the top of your roof then refreezes as it gets closer to the edge where there's less insulation.

"So on the heated area of the home, as the warm air hits the bottom side of the sheathing that our shingles are attached to, it does in fact start to melt that water and that water can't get off because of this ice dam. It simply just can't get off, so it backs it up underneath the shingles," said Jim Lane, A-Best Roofing.

Jim Lane says once an ice dam has formed and has begun to leak, there's not much that can be done and warns about trying to break one apart.

"Absolutely not. Don't chip the ice away. That's too dangerous, plus you're just taking a chance that you're going to damage your roof," said Jim Lane, A-Best Roofing.

"It's a low crawl in here too, so," said Jim Stuart, homeowner.

Your best bet, Lane says, is to get buckets to catch the water. Stuart has seven in his attic. 

But before a winter storm, Lane says you can add insulation, especially around the edges of your home, or improve the ventilation. Those help keep the temperature even in your attic. 

If you're building a new roof, Lane says you can install a snow and ice shield that will help protect against ice dams.