How Pantyhose Can Save Your Roof From Ice Damming

It's been weeks since that January snowstorm dropped more than a foot of snow across the SouthCoast in what was the biggest snowstorm we've seen in years.

Since the storm, there's been little to no melting of the snowpack because temperatures have been so frigid, until this week. Warmer daytime temperatures have been nice over the past couple of days, but paired with the nighttime freezing, there is a potential for costly damage for SouthCoast homeowners. One of the most common cold weather roofing issues is ice damming, which can lead to costly home damage if left untreated.

Jason Couto of Couto Construction in New Bedford told us how ice dams typically form during what contractors call a perfect storm of winter weather conditions.

What Ice Dams Are and How They Form

Couto explained that ice dams occur when snow sitting on a roof begins to melt, usually because of heat escaping from inside the home or from poorly ventilated attics. As the melted snow travels down the roof, it refreezes near the gutters where temperatures are colder.

That refrozen water creates a barrier of ice. Once the ice dam forms, additional melting snow has nowhere to go. The water then backs up underneath shingles and can leak into the home, causing interior water damage.

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What Weather Conditions Create Ice Dams

According to Couto, ice dams often form after heavy snow is followed by daytime warming temperatures and freezing conditions overnight. These thaw and freeze cycles create ideal conditions for thick ice buildup above gutters.

He said contractors are currently seeing ice dams forming that can be nearly a foot thick in some cases.

How to Recognize Ice Damming on Your Home

Couto said one of the most visible warning signs homeowners can look for is icicles forming along gutters or roof edges. While icicles may look harmless, they often indicate that ice dams are already forming on the roof.

How Homeowners Can Prevent Damage From Ice Dams

While completely preventing ice dams can be difficult, Couto said proper roofing systems can help prevent damage. High quality underlayment products placed beneath shingles can help block water from entering the home even if ice buildup occurs.

Homeowners can also use roof safe calcium ice melt products to create drainage channels in the ice. Some contractors also install heating cables along roof edges to help prevent ice buildup and allow melting snow to safely drain from the roof.

Pantyhose Can Be a Useful Tool

Believe it or not, a pair of pantyhose can help solve your ice damming issue. Watch this video from Jason Couto to see how to use them with ice melt to make a temporary fix.