Ice Dams in Wayland, MA: Why They Form, Why Insulation Isn't Enough, and How to Prevent Roof Damage

Ice dams are a serious and common problem in Wayland. They're called ice dams because, like any dam, they hold water back. Your roof is designed to shed water, not to retain it. When water becomes trapped behind an ice dam and works its way under your shingles, it can cause significant damage to both your roof and the interior of your home.

Ice dams form when snow on the roof melts and then refreezes at the colder lower edge of the roof. While gutters can make the problem worse, ice dams can-and often do- form even on homes without gutters.

The Cold Facts About Ice Dams

Much of the information available online suggests that ice dams can be prevented with proper attic insulation and ventilation. The theory is simple: insulation reduces heat loss from the living space below, while ventilation introduces cold air into the attic to help equalize temperatures.

While proper insulation and ventilation are important and should not be ignored, they are not a guaranteed solution. In our experience, even homes with well-insulated attics and correctly installed ventilation systems can still suffer from severe ice dams.

Real-World Experience

The winter of 2010-2011 was especially brutal for ice dams in our area. During that season, LaBelle Roofing, Inc. dispatched six crews over a two-week period to remove ice dams and snow from roofs. We cleared hundreds of ice dams that winter alone.

What stood out was this: nearly every home we services had proper ventilation and adequate insulation-yet still experienced major ice dam issues.

The cities we service:

• Acton, MA
• Framingham, MA
• Harvard, MA
• Lincoln, MA
• Littletone, MA
• Maynard, MA
• Natick, MA
• Sudbury, MA
• Wayland, MA
• Weston, MA

Why Ice Dams Still Form

The reality is that it's nearly impossible to perfectly match attic temperature to the outdoor air. Some warm air will always escape into the attic. In many modern homes, heating ducts also run through the attic, contributing additional heat.

If you look at an unheated garage, you'll notice there are no ice dams. That's because there's no heat source-the roof temperature stays the same as the outdoor temperature. Unless an attic can be aggressively cooled (which most cannot), some snow melt is unavoidable.

Ice Dam Prevention & Mitigation Options

• Heating cables can melt channels through ice dams, allowing trapped water to drain and reducing the likelihood of leaks. Cables should be inspected annually and installed by a licensed electrician in coordination with a qualified roofer.

• Ice and water shield is a leak-resistant underlayment installed during roof replacement. While highly effective, it is not fail-proof. These products vary in quality and cost, so it's important to compare materials-not just prices-when reviewing roofing estimates.

• Closed-cell spray foam insulation can significantly reduce heat transfer but is often expensive to install.

• Heated gutter and eave systems vary widely in effectiveness and cost.

Professional Advice From LaBelle Roofing, Inc.

Ice dams should generally be left alone unless they are actively causing a leak. Snow should not be removed from a roof unless excessive weight presents a safety concern. Improper snow removal-especially with roof rakes-can actually create new ice dams at the point where the rake can no longer reach. That area is often beyond the protection of ice and water shield, increasing the risk of leaks.

If you develop a leak caused by an ice dam, call LaBelle Roofing, Inc. immediately.

Ice dam removal is dangerous work and should be handled by trained professionals. When an ice dam is safely opened at the point of leakage, the leak typically stops almost immediately.