Ice dams occur on the roof and can create a back-up of water on your roof that can lead to leaks.  An improperly vented attic melts the snow on the roof, which in turn melts and freezes near the gutters.  As the water melts and freezes, the back-up begins.  Removing the ice can be a challenge as the ice freezes around the shingles and can cause extensive damage.  Clearing your roof and working to prevent the problem during the warmer months is the ideal way to prevent ice dams.

There are many tactics home owners can use to ensure that ice dams do not negatively affect their homes.  Proper attic ventilation and maintenance of the roof are first and foremost.  Other products offers help in dealing the problem as well.  Heat tapes and special additions to the home clear the problem mid winter.  It is important to take care of the problems as they arise to prevent damage to the home or injury to people.

Source:  http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/Preparing-for-Ice-Dams/6_GGxOhhk0yfluZq_hqSoA.cspx

1. Clean leaves and debris from your gutters to prevent water from freezing and causing a blockage.  Cleared gutters allow any water underneath snow to effectively run off the roof, instead of getting backed up and causing freezing.
2. Inspect the roof for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing or leaky vents.  Repairing these problems in the fall will prevent them from causing more problems during the winter.  Ensure that any questionable areas are repaired or replaced.
3. Check the ventilation in the attic.  As most ice dams are caused by poor ventilation, and warm air rising to the roof and melting the snow, this is the number one prevention tactic to avoid the headache of ice dams.

Taking care of these problems during warmer months, when you can see them, will save you time and money.  Time because you will not be racing the clock before the next snowfall and money because replacing some shingles or having minor repairs done is much less expensive than having your entire roof replaced or repairing any damage to the interior of your home.

Source:  http://www.thebestwaystosavemoney.com/more-savings/winterizing-tips-for-homeowners-14-easy-winterizing-tips-that-will-save-you-time-frustration-money-and-your-life/

Roofing material is expensive, and if you only plan on having this job done once, then you will want it done right.  A quality installation is required to avoid running into these problems again.  Be prepared to fork over a pretty penny to contractors to ensure that the job is done well and correctly.

Your roof is the one element of your home that is directly exposed to all the elements.  No other part of the home sees as wide a variety of seasonal elements as the roof.  It is a major home improvement, and chances are you would only have it done it you had to because of damage.  The trick is to prevent the damage by properly taking care of your roof and getting it ready for the onslaught of winter.

Source:  http://kingstonroofing.ca/why-roof-replacement-is-a-major-home-improvement-project

Identify the damp areas – The first step is to locate the problem and where the moisture is coming from in the first place.  Anywhere moisture is allowed to accumulate is a perfect breeding ground for mold.

Preventing mold from spreading – As you are working, be sure to seal off the room, this prevents the mold from spreading.  In addition it is a good idea to keep dust levels down to prevent the dust from spreading.

Removing the black mold – Thoroughly clean the affected area with a solution that is specific for killing and cleaning black mold.  The mold may also be living in area where you can’t see it, so it important to clean all visible surfaces.

Once the area is clean it is important to dispose of the contaminated materials you used to clean.   Place the pieces in heavy duty plastic bags and keep them outside until they can be disposed of properly.

Source:  http://roofjack.co.cc/dryer-vent-pipe/toxic-black-mold-removal-doing-it-yourself

Gutters can get damaged from excessive snow and ice.  One major clue is the long icicles that dangle dangerously from them.  This is also a major clue that and ice dam is forming.  Ice and snow in the gutters can cause severe damage and even injury if the gutter should fall from the weight.  The easiest way to prevent this from happening is to ensure that your gutters are cleared out before the snow falls.  However once it has already happened, having the snow removed from you roof will prevent any further damage or injury.

It is very dangerous to try and remove the snow yourself with no experience.  In addition it is highly likely that you will do more damage, and the ice will be under the shingles, and you run the risk of ripping them up in the process.  It is always best to call in the professionals for this job.

Source:  http://www.ehow.com/way_5860274_rooftop-snow-removal.html

The system is basic, an attic fan that is powered by a solar panel.  Since the panels provide renewable energy, the fan is not drawing power from the home.  The fan expels warm air from the attic space.  An added bonus is that by removing the warm air, the home’s air conditioning system will work more effectively.  The most important advantages of solar attic ventilation are that it is inexpensive, its use of renewable energy, no operating cost, improves the homes air quality and it will extend the life of your roof by preventing ice dams.

Attic ventilation and solar panels are a great addition to your home and will be a benefit your roof.  They are easy to install and can be retrofitted to fit older homes.

Source:  http://www.sneakyreviews.com/alternative-energy/solar-attic-ventilation-improved-energy-efficiency-powered-by-renewable-solar-electricity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=solar-attic-ventilation-improved-energy-efficiency-powered-by-renewable-solar-electricity

The first solution is to apply a rubber, waterproof layer to last 8 or 10 courses of shingles on your roof.  This does not prevent the ice dam from forming, but it will hinder the standing water from seeping between the shingles.  The second option is to install heating cables along the edge of the roof to combat freezing ice.  The cables ensure that the ice melts and runs free of the roof.  The final solution ensures that the problem ceases to happen, by insulating the attic to prevent warm air from heating the roof.

These methods are all beneficial to preventing the damage of ice dams and snow build-up.  However, professional roofers should perform these techniques.  Consider calling roofing professionals in your area to do the job.

Source:  http://www.erenovate.com/articles/roofing/understanding-and-eliminating-ice-dam-roof-leaks

Attic fans are useful in the cool months, because they expel the warm air out of the attic, preventing it from warming the roof and melting the snow.  Now, with the advancement of technology, solar paneled attic fans are available.  These exhausts are installed in the soffit vents or gables.  Completely powered by the sun, the fans circulate air at approximately 1800 cfm.  What better way to improve not only how your home reacts to winter, but also the carbon footprint it makes?

Solar powered attic fans are the ideal way to solve an ice dam problem and prevent an expense increase on your energy bill.  As the sun heats them, they work to expel the warm air accumulating in the attic space.  Solar panel attic fans are a great contribution to making a greener home.

Source:  http://protectingourenvironment.com/solar-powered-attic-fans/#more-3804

1. In locations where the temperature drops to below freezing, adding extra insulation to your attic is recommended to prevent warm air from melting the snow on your roof and causing ice dams.
2. Be sure to check the flashing, to make certain that water cannot enter the home.
3. Replace any damaged shingles or roof tiles.
4. Clean out gutters, removing any debris that may block them.
5. If you do not already have them, consider installing leaf guards on the gutters to prevent leaves and debris from becoming a block in the future.  Cleared gutters will allow the water to drain away from the home.

Performing these maintenance tasks will ensure that you do not have problems with build-up of ice or snow during the winter months.  By taking a few precautions, you could be saving yourself a lot of money down the road.

Source:  http://www.yoursummitrealestate.com/Blog/Top-Ten-Tips-for-Winterizing-your-Home

Gutters are manufactured from materials like cast iron, aluminum, steel, copper, zinc and plastic.  It is important to have the proper filtering system on your gutters to ensure that debris, like leaves and twigs, are not trapped and do not cause problems.  This filtration system usually simply consists of a louver or a screen, which traps the unwanted debris.

Most modern gutters require little maintenance.  You must make sure however that they are periodically cleaned out and the debris is removed.  Not only can water leak down the side of you home and cause damage, but also in the winter months, clogged gutters are cause of ice dams.  Ice dams result in the snow melting, and the water trapped on the roof.  Ice dams can cause serious damage and be a costly repair.

Source:  http://www.kitchentips.org/kitchen-appliances/basic-guide-to-rainwater-gutters/