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For starters, do you know what an ice dam is? It’s a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof or along gutters on residential and commercial structures. Ice dams prevent melting snow from draining off the roof. As a result, the water that builds up behind the dam can potentially cause one or more leaks in your home – on the walls, ceilings, and in the attic space. Not to mention, the bigger ice dams get, the heavier and more dangerous they become. Until recently, the traditional method of reducing ice dams has been to install self-regulating heat cables in a zig-zag pattern along the roof eave. This method is usually ineffective, particularly in very cold climates and in areas that see heavy snow accumulation. IceFree heated roof panels offered by Engineered Roof Deicing, however, are one of the best investments homeowners, builders, and businesses can make to protect against ice damage and personal injury. Innovative new systems are now available that will completely clear snow and ice from critical areas of the roof. Call us to learn more. Traditional methods of getting rid of ice dams along your roof line include adding more insulation, ventilating your attic, installing zig-zag cables, and more. Unfortunately, too many people fall prey to these so-called “solutions” and invest a lot of their time and money, only to find that ice dams and icicles return anyway! Ice Dam Formation 101: Why the Problem Exists in the First Place Snow accumulates on your rooftop as the result of one or more winter storms. The snow begins to melt due to both solar heat from above and home heat loss from beneath. Melted snow trickles down to the surface of the roof where it settles along colder valleys, overhangs, and gutter lines. When temperatures dip below freezing again, this snow refreezes, forming dams of ice. Ice Dam Elimination – If left unchecked, ice dams and their accompanying icicles can cause all sorts of problems in varying levels of severity. Water pools accumulate behind ice dams, which may cause leaks in your home, resulting in stained sheetrock, warped hardwood floors, mold, ruined personal belongings, or other types of interior damage. Massive, heavy sheets of ice on the roof contract and expand, resulting in costly damage to the roof as well as the gutters. Icicles grow as more refreezing occurs, jeopardizing the safety of family members and neighbors. The only way to ensure the safety of your property and loved ones is to prevent and/or eliminate ice dams altogether. Climbing on the roof to shovel after a storm and climbing a ladder to knock ice dams and icicles off are not only extremely unsafe methods of ice dam control, but they also don’t fix the problem. The best answer is to find a permanent solution that will eradicate ice dam formation once and for all. Is There a Permanent, No-Fail Solution to Ice Dam Formation? The benefits of adding insulation, ventilating the attic, or installing a cold roof simply do not compensate for the effects of the sun. As long as the sun shines, you will still have problems with ice dams. Our T-Panel system is simple, energy-efficient, attractive in any season, and best of all, doesn’t just cover up your icing problems. Rather, it zeroes in on ice dams and icicles and prevents their formation before it becomes an issue.