{"id":5381,"date":"2026-02-20T21:09:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T21:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.felgemachermasonry.com\/roofing-copy\/?post_type=roofing_blog&p=5381"},"modified":"2026-03-19T12:05:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T12:05:34","slug":"ice-dams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.felgemachermasonry.com\/roofing\/blog\/ice-dams\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know About Ice Dams on Your Roof"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ice dams are sections of ice that build up on roofs, most commonly along the edges. They can be particularly troublesome for asphalt shingle roofs and should be addressed as soon as they\u2019re noticed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Felgemacher Roofing & Siding<\/a> of Rochester, NY, would like to share some helpful information about ice dams.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"freezeFreeze-thaw cycles<\/b><\/h2>\n

During our volatile New York winters, outside temperatures can fluctuate between freezing and thawing many times. Snow melts into water, then the mercury drops and the water freezes. Water runs toward its lowest point, so the edges of the roof and, sometimes, the roof valleys are the “hot spots\u201d for ice dams.<\/span><\/p>\n

Warm roofs<\/b><\/h2>\n

If there\u2019s insufficient home insulation below the roof, the house’s warmth will melt snow, which then freezes when temperatures drop. Insulation issues can lead to various roof problems due to winter ice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The effects of ice dams<\/b><\/h2>\n

When ice forms on a roof, it blocks water from flowing past it and causes the water to dam up, thus the name \u201cice dam.\u201d Standing water can easily seep under individual shingles in a roof and move through the existing nail holes in the felt. This happens because shingles are supposed to encourage runoff, not to block standing water.<\/span><\/p>\n

When water penetrates shingles, the results can include:<\/span><\/p>\n