What Are Ice Dams and How Can They Damage Your Roof?

Winter in Tennessee is in full swing, so it’s time to ensure that your home is up to the task of tackling the cold weather and all it brings. While you’re turning up the heat, decorating the mantle in the holiday spirit and watching snowflakes fall, don’t forget that those lovely flurries can wreak havoc on your home. Of the many challenges facing your home this coming season, ice dams can present one of the biggest hazards. Knowing how ice dams form and what issues they can cause will help you understand what preventive steps you should take to eliminate their potential threat.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at your roof’s edge. When the air inside your home’s attic is warmer than the outside air, it heats up the upper section of your roof, causing snow to melt. Ice dams prevent melting snow from draining off your roof properly. When the melted snow flows down to the cold edge of the roof and refreezes, it builds up, creating ice dams that block the snow melt and push the water up into your shingles.

What are the Dangers of Ice Dams?

Ice dams can cause damage to the underlayment and decking of your roof. According to the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee, the buildup of ice can prevent drainage, resulting in leaks that creep into your ceilings, walls and insulation. If left unchecked, they can rot your rafters and sheathing, as well as your interior and exterior wall framing. They can also cause icicles which can break off, causing damage to your siding and gutters. The excess moisture they create also promotes increased mold growth that can exacerbate allergies and asthma and cause poor indoor air quality.

How Can I Prevent Ice Dams?

The most effective way to prevent damage from ice dams is to have proper insulation. Good insulation will prevent attic heat from heating your roof and melting the snow. Make sure that your attic has adequate ventilation and seal all air leaks to prevent heat from escaping. Remove snow from your roof regularly, and keep your gutters clear of any leaves and debris that can block drainage.

A clogged gutter accelerates ice dam formation by causing water to pool inside your gutters rather than draining off. This water then refreezes and forms an ice dam. Consider hiring a contractor to install a specialty gutter system that prevents ice from clogging your gutters. Many of these gutters have a heating option that utilizes a heat cable to melt the snow at the edge of your roof, thereby preventing ice buildup and keeping the water flowing.

Let L&L Contractors help you protect your home against roof damage caused by ice dams this winter. Contact us today to learn more about ice dam prevention, attic insulation and ventilation, or to get information about our other products and services. To schedule your free consultation with the pros at L&L Contractors, call 615-617-3189 or click here!

Donald Lester

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bill warren

21:58 09 Oct 24

On time, worked efficiently. Answered all questions, Allen stayed with the crew the entire time. Well done, an excellent company.I highly recommend L and L Contractors

Ken Deer

16:29 09 Sep 24

Did the work quickly and efficeintly

Ana Taylor

19:53 29 Aug 24

Review for Lea Dickey:They did a fantastic job. They were very professional and on time. Could not have received better service! Excellent installation with timely service!

Jeremy Porter

20:02 27 Aug 24

Let me just say that Willie, Peter, and Taryn at L&L are absolutely amazing folks. Willie was professional , personable, and beyond patient with me while I was waffling with my roofing decision. And in the end he was able to get me a great deal! Peter, the project manager, was always in communication with me and went above and beyond to make sure my house looked perfect. He even had his employees redo something he wasn’t completely satisfied with that I don’t think any other company would have redone because of the expense. I was going to go with the same old roof colors and I stopped by their office to consult with Taryn who suggested something different. Taryn helped me pick out the perfect colors for my roof and I’ve had at least a dozen people in my neighborhood stop to tell me looks stunning. Do yourself a favor and hire this local contractor-you will not be disappointed! Thank you all again!

Chris Phillips

11:05 23 Aug 24

We had the pleasure of working with L&L over the past few months, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with their work. They completed several projects on my home in College Grove, TN, starting with addressing some issues with my Hardy board siding. As a preferred contractor with James Hardie board, L&L’s Russ Hensley inspected the problem areas and discovered that the original installation by the builder was faulty. Russ and his team reinstalled the James Hardie board correctly. The result was flawless, and they even followed up to ensure I was happy with the work.Later that month, after a hailstorm damaged our roof, I hired L&L again. Brad White coordinated with our insurance adjuster and identified some overlooked issues. The new roof was installed in a single day, which was impressive, and they returned to install new gutters. Brad suggested upgrading to 6-inch gutters, which proved to be a wise choice given the size of our home.The customer service provided by L&L is exceptional, surpassing any I’ve experienced in the industry. They even paired me with a supervisor, Peter, who was well-suited to manage my meticulous nature. Peter went above and beyond to ensure both my wife and I were delighted with the results. Throughout the process, communication via text and email was seamless.My wife and I wholeheartedly recommend L&L for any siding and roofing needs.

Kelly Bush

18:14 13 Jul 24

From beginning to end L&L was the best company I’ve ever dealt with regarding anything involving my home. Jerome spent so much time before we even hired them listening to us and inspecting our house to help us with our insurance company. After hiring them, he again spent a lot of time walking us through everything and helping us choose colors. He was so kind, patient, and professional! I can’t remember the names of the people in the office that I dealt with, but they were absolutely wonderful as well. Then Peter showed up with his crew to install our new roof. Again, no surprise, he was so kind! They kept us updated every step of the way. I could not possibly be happier with the work and professionalism of L&L!!! I SO appreciate them, HIGHLY recommend them, and would TOTALLY use them again for anything! We are very satisfied customers! Thank you L&L!

Jamie Dark

16:42 21 Jun 24

Allen Cox and Bernie team went above and beyond expectations on our garage siding replacement project. Upon removal of old siding, we found a lot of wood damage. All damaged wood replaced, building re-wrapped, garage doors, windows totally sealed and weather proofed. I was impressed with workmanship and professionalism and asked for quote to replace my decking. I would highly recommend these guys for your projects.

N B

00:20 14 Mar 24

I would 100% recommend L&L contractors!! I had to have all the siding on my house replaced. I talked with several companies and decided to go with L&L because they took the time to explain the process and go over every detail with me without treating me like I was an idiot. Kyle was amazing with helping me deal with my insurance company from the get go. Allen and his team were awesome and got my siding done efficiently and to the highest standard. Once they started on the project, they kept me up to date along the way and made sure I was ok with any changes that needed to be made to the project. All the workers were very polite and took pride in the work they were doing. Marten and Javier were amazing problem solvers who went above and beyond and even built some custom pieces to go around my outdoor water faucets!My only complaint would be that communication was not great between the time I put down the first part of the deposit and when they actually started on my house. Despite this, I would definitely use their services again if needed.*****UPDATE*****I had an issue with one of the vents that was installed last year by L&L Contractors. I reached out to Allen and he came over within 48 hours and fixed the issue himself. I can not say how much I appreciate the prompt and friendly service as well as the pride these guys take in their work.

Denise Lussier

15:50 07 Mar 24

I couldn't be more thrilled with the exceptional service provided by L&L Contractors From start to finish, their professionalism and expertise shone through, making my roofing project a seamless and satisfying experience.First and foremost, communication was top-notch. L&L and their team were always prompt in responding to my inquiries, thoroughly addressing any concerns I had, and keeping me informed every step of the way. This level of transparency instilled confidence in their work and ensured that I felt valued as a customer.When it came to the actual roofing work, L&L exceeded my expectations. Their crew demonstrated remarkable skill and efficiency, completing the job within the promised timeframe and without sacrificing quality. From tearing off the old roof to meticulously installing the new one, it was evident that they took pride in their craft.Moreover, I was impressed by the attention to detail exhibited by L&L. They didn't just focus on the main roofing structure but also took care of minor repairs and cleanup, leaving my property looking immaculate. It's clear that they care about delivering a finished product that not only meets but exceeds customer satisfaction.

lynn johnson-mcbee

22:32 30 Dec 23

My husband and I have wanted to update the exterior of our home for years. After speaking to various companies, we decided on L&L Contractors for the job. The final results were amazing, and our neighbors agree. The best thing about the process was our project manager Allan, and our client advisor Jeremy. Allan kept us WELL informed on each step of the process. He welcomed our input, which allowed us to get the results that we had imagined. He made us feel that our satisfaction was most important. He even took the initiative to fix a loose panel on our SUV. Jeremy, our client advisor was with us at the very beginning of the process, and he remained with us to the very end. We consider both men a permanent addition in our lives.

luellyn latocki hensley

01:42 15 Apr 23

We had a great experience with L&L. Detail oriented and top-notch quality every step of the way. Even with it being a very busy time for them. They also helped discuss the job with our insurance agent making that process go smoothly. Great communication and customer service from Tim Peterson. Would highly recommend working with Russ, Ernie, Tim and Arlene at L&L Contractors.

Iris Borel

03:20 18 Feb 23

I highly recommend L&L Roofing! The service was excellent from the start. Kyle was very prompt to come out to the home for an evaluation and was very professional and courteous. I am very pleased with how quickly the job was completed. The quality of the material and workmanship was fantastic!Tim and the crew were professional, polite, cleaned the job site completely and gave me a beautiful new roof. I’m most appreciative of their work and the results. I am delighted I chose your company and would recommend you highly to anyone in need of a new roof installed to the highest standards.Kudos to your team of workers. They all were very polite, friendly, and informative if I had a question. The workers arrived on time; immediately began work and continued in that stance all day. Please convey my thanks to all.Kyle and Tim get an A+ in service, attitude, work ethic and above all craftsmanship.

Laura Buchanan

21:51 30 Nov 22

I am so pleased with My Client Advisor, Ernie from L&L Contractors. I had roof damage this morning from last night's storm. I called at 10:30AM and received an appointment for 1PM the same day AND he even came early. The appointment included a photo and contact information in case I needed to reach him about the appointment. Not only was he prompt, professional and reasonably priced, but I really appreciated Ernie's input regarding the general state of my roof and inspection while he was up there. He even took away the damaged roofing with him. I will definitely reach out to them when I need my complete roof replaced. Laura

Holly Taylor

20:37 24 Sep 22

L&L Contractors is a professional and top-notch company. Nick and Kyle made the process smooth, communicated well, and were reliable. The work crews were efficient and polite. Fast turnaround with Hardie Siding, Windows, Painting, Drywall, etc. I couldn’t be happier with the new look of my home! 5-Star Company all the way and I would definitely recommend to others and use for future projects!

B Call

16:32 04 Aug 22

L and L Contractors replaced our very old, worn out roof yesterday. Their service was top notch from the very first encounter to the final goodbye. Their communication was excellent and very much appreciated. We enjoyed being able to utilize the website to see our balance, our tentative date and other important details very easily. They were very professional and respectful of our property. Our new roof looks beautiful. We will be recommending this company from now on and will definitely use them again in the future.