Every winter, I get those annoying ice dams on my north-facing roof (asphalt shingles, New England). I’ve heard two main fixes—either run heat cables along the edge or beef up attic insulation. Heat cables seem easier but use more electricity, while insulation is pricier upfront but maybe better long term? Anyone leaning one way or the other? Or maybe both? Curious what’s actually worked for folks in similar climates.
I’ve wrestled with this exact problem for years—north side, classic New England snow dumps, and those stubborn ice dams. I tried heat cables first because, honestly, it was the quickest fix I could manage before the next storm rolled in. They did help a bit, but my electric bill definitely noticed... plus, they only really kept the edge clear. The rest of the roof still had issues.
Last year I finally bit the bullet and added more insulation in the attic (blew in cellulose myself—messy but doable). That made a way bigger difference than I expected. The upstairs is warmer now too, and I barely saw any ice damming this winter. It wasn’t cheap up front, but I figure it’ll pay off over time with lower heating costs.
If you’re dealing with big leaks or can’t get to insulation right away, heat cables are a decent band-aid. But if you can swing it, better insulation and sealing up attic air leaks seems like the long-term win. Just my two cents from a fellow cold-climate roof battler...
- That’s interesting about the cellulose—did you notice any issues with moisture or ventilation after adding it?
-
“They only really kept the edge clear. The rest of the roof still had issues.”
- I’ve heard some folks say too much insulation can mess with airflow and actually make ice dams worse if vents get blocked... did you have to adjust your soffit or ridge vents at all?
- Curious if anyone’s tried those roof rakes for snow removal instead—worth the hassle, or just another temporary fix?
I packed in a bunch of cellulose last winter and, yeah, had to double-check the soffit vents—ended up adding baffles to keep the airflow going. Otherwise, you’re just trading one problem for another. As for roof rakes, I’ve used one a few times. It’s a workout, but honestly, it does help if you can keep up with the snow. Just don’t whack your gutters off... learned that the hard way. Heat cables are tempting, but I’d rather not mess with the electric bill unless I have to.
Just don’t whack your gutters off... learned that the hard way.
I’m in the same boat this year—first winter in our place and already seeing those ice dams creeping in. I was leaning toward heat cables too, just for the quick fix, but the idea of higher bills every month is kind of a turnoff. Insulation seems like a pain to install, but if it means less hassle down the road, maybe it’s worth it? I hadn’t even thought about soffit vents getting blocked… guess there’s more to it than just piling in more insulation.