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Common Water Issue in BC
Ice Damming on Roof Eaves
Ice dams form when snow melts on a warm roof and refreezes at the colder eaves, creating a ridge of ice that traps water behind it. The trapped water can back up under shingles and leak into the attic and interior ceilings. Ice damming is common in BC regions with significant snowfall, particularly in the Interior, Sea-to-Sky, and parts of Metro Vancouver during cold snaps.
Possible Causes
- •Inadequate attic insulation allowing heat to escape and warm the roof deck
- •Poor attic ventilation not allowing warm air to escape before it warms the roof
- •Clogged gutters that trap ice and prevent water drainage
- •Accumulated snow acting as insulation on the roof, trapping heat
- •Recessed lighting or other ceiling penetrations leaking warm air into the attic
Recommended Steps
- 1Remove snow from the roof edge with a roof rake (from the ground — do not go on the roof)
- 2Apply calcium chloride ice melt socks on the ice dam to create drainage channels
- 3Check attic insulation levels — BC code now requires R-40 to R-60 depending on region
- 4Seal air leaks from living space into attic — around light fixtures, pipes, and attic hatches
Need Professional Help?
Don't let a small leak become a big problem. Contact LeakInspections.ca — a division of Anyleak.ca and Leak.ca — for expert diagnosis.