Montana Homeowners – Try This Simple Trick for Ice Dams

Montana Homeowners - Try This Simple Trick for Ice Dams

After our recent snowstorm in central Montana, I have noticed a familiar and common occurrence happening once again.  Those recognizable large icicles that are hanging from homes and businesses.

via GIPHY

While they might look cool, they're a sign that your home could be getting some major damage.  Not just on the outside like your gutters or shingles but in your attic and more with interior water damage.

Does Great Falls See More of These Than Other Areas?

I don't have data to back this statement, but I honestly believe in Great Falls we see more of this happening.  Due to being an area that sees "chinooks" come through regularly, it makes sense.

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Ice dams form when heat escapes from your roof melting the snow.  But when temperatures dip back down, it freezes again.  This repeated process, common with chinooks, causes the backup of ice, creating the dam.

Once formed, ice dams can become heavy enough to tear off your gutters or create problems with your shingles.  It can also lead to leaks entering into your home through the roof.

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Preventative Measures and One Trick for Ice Dams in Montana

To relieve some of the problems of dams, This Old House has some recommendations to help:

• Heated cables on the outside of your roof
• Using a fan to cool the air towards the roof from your attic
• Use a roof rake

My home suffers from these constantly and I have found that in the worst spots, this works like a charm.  Just be careful!

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Another hack for those dams comes from This Old House, and it is quite unique.  Mainly because it involves panty hose or a sock to make it work.

Fill the panty hose or sock with rock salt and toss it on your roof.

Creating a channel for the water to flow will help keep those dams from freezing as often.  But remember, this is only a temporary fix.

Other Solutions for Montana Winter Chinooks Causing Ice Dams

There are other solutions to helping keep ice dams off your home.  You may need to install more insulation in your attic for better results.

Insulation thickness should be around 8-9 inches for best results.  Spray in insulation on the attic roof can also be applied to help.

You can find out more about ice dams in the video below.

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