Roof
Inspect for ice damming
Every year, in January.
What to do
Look at the eaves and valleys on a cold day after a snowfall, and at the ceilings inside.
Why it matters
A dam pushes meltwater back up under the shingles, where it gets into the wall. Habitat calls it a natural occurrence rather than a builder defect, which means it is yours to catch.
What to look for
- A ridge of ice at the eave with snow held behind it
- Long icicles along the gutter line — the visible symptom, not the problem itself
- Water staining on the ceiling near an exterior wall
- Frost or wet insulation in the attic, which says warm air is leaking up
- Snow melting off one part of the roof faster than the rest, which shows where the heat is escaping
- The attic hatch seals and its insulation is still on top of it — warm wet air leaking up there is what melts the snow that refreezes at the eave
- The baffles at the eaves are clear, not packed with blown insulation or blocked by stored boxes
Where this comes from
Habitat Studio p.16 and CMHC CE 47, both winter. January is when it shows here. Clear the snow at the eaves and valleys; do not chip at the ice.
Catch it while it’s still maintenance.
Domisura keeps this schedule for your house — dated to when things went in, and reminding you when each task comes round. The record stays with the address when you sell.
Start a record for your homeGeneral guidance, not professional advice. For gas, electricity, structure or water, get a qualified trade.