Why Ice Dams Form in Our Climate
An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the lower edge of your roof that blocks melting snow from draining. Snow sits on the shingles while heat leaking from the house warms the upper roof, so that snow melts first. Water runs down, hits the cold overhang, and refreezes at the eaves or in the gutters. After a few days, the ice thickens and traps more water behind it.
In East Tennessee, vented attics and thin insulation make that temperature difference worse, so even small storms can start the process.
What Ice Dams Can Do to Your Roof
Once an ice dam forms, new meltwater has nowhere to go. It pools behind the ice, works under shingles, and finds nail holes or seams. That leads to roof decking damage, stained ceilings, soggy insulation, and peeling paint. Over time you can see mold, rotten fascia, and heavy icicles that create a safety hazard near doors and walkways.
Quick Steps During an Ice Event
If you see thick ice along the eaves or a fresh water stain during a cold snap, stay on the ground and keep it simple.
- Use a long-handled roof rake from the ground to pull loose snow off the lower roof.
- Lay calcium chloride “socks” across the ice to open small channels and skip rock salt that can stain shingles and plants.
- Catch drips in buckets inside, and skip the icy ladder and hammer work on the roof.
Long-Term Fixes for East Tennessee Homes
Improve Attic and Roof Performance
Most ice dam issues start with warm air escaping into the attic and uneven roof temperatures. When we inspect, we look for gaps around plumbing stacks, lights, and duct boots, then seal them with foam, caulk, or blocking. After leaks are under control, we may add insulation and confirm that soffit and ridge vents can move cold air through the attic in winter.
On reroof projects we often add self-adhered ice and water membrane along eaves and in valleys as hidden backup if water ever backs up under the shingles.
Upgrade Gutters and Water Management
We see ice dams more often on homes with clogged or undersized gutters. If leaves fill the trough, meltwater sits at the roof edge and freezes into a solid lip of ice. We install oversized six-inch seamless gutters with 3×4 downspouts that carry more water away from the house. If you are ready for new gutters, we can help you pick a system that fits your home.
Talk with a Local Roofing and Gutter Team
At Mountain View Exteriors, we live and work in the Knoxville area and have helped thousands of East Tennessee homeowners with roofing and gutters. You can check our service locations across East Tennessee to see where we work.
If you have questions about ice dams, attic insulation, or gutter performance, let us take a look before the next storm. You can contact us or call 865-465-8056 to schedule an inspection.