As winter approaches, you may dread the thought of the snow and ice that will fall on your roof and form ice dams. Especially if you have had problems in the past with ice dams damaging your roof, you may be wondering what can be done to prevent them. 

While you may not be able to completely stop their formation, there are things that can be done to help minimize their occurrence as well as their size. There are a couple of things that a roofing contractor can do to your home's roof that can reduce the formation of ice dams during the winter months. 

1. They Can Install a Soffit-And-Ridge Vent System to Encourage Airflow Under the Roof

One way that a roofer can help minimize the development of ice dams is to install a soffit-and-ridge venting system. The main cause of ice dams is when the heat from your home melts the snow and ice too quickly, then the water refreezes where it collects around the edges of the roof.

When this system is used, baffles are installed beneath the roof decking to create passages through which exterior air can flow. This keeps the temperature above and under the roof about the same temperature to prevent premature melting. Vents are then placed in the soffits and ridgeline of the roof to achieve the maximum flow of air.

2. They Can Install Gable Vents That Are Used in Conjunction With an Attic Fan

If your home has an attic, the contractor may decide that gable vents are a viable option for reducing ice dam formation on your roof. Using this method, vents are placed at intervals along the underside of the roof.

An attic fan is used to pull the cooler outdoor air in through the vents to keep the underside of the roof from warming up. While this method can be used by itself, it can also be used in tandem with the soffit-and-ridge system if your home has had a problem with large ice dams forming.

Depending on the type of roof you have and whether your home has an attic, the contractor can install either a soffit-and-ridge venting system or gable vents to help prevent ice dams. If your roof has a history of developing large ice dams, they may decide to use both methods. Speak with a home roofing contractor in your area to have them fully inspect your roof to determine what method would be most suitable for your house.

Contact a local roofing contractor to learn more.