How to Prevent Ice Dams | This Old House

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to super-insulate an attic for ice dam prevention. (See below for a shopping list.)

Tom showed several ways to get rid of existing ice dams, including tossing a paper bag filled with ice melt behind the dam. Ice melt is available at hardware stores and home centers.

Tom also suggested aiming a fan at the eaves of your roof from inside the attic, blowing cold air from the attic at the dam. This will make the roof cold and prevent the ice dam from continuing to grow.

Shopping List for How to Prevent Ice Dams:

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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Prevent Ice Dams | This Old House