Ice Dams in Salt Lake — Fix the Attic Before the Roof (Usually)
Why heat leaking to the roof deck drives dams, and how air sealing pairs with insulation to stop the melt-freeze cycle.
Ice dams are a roofing symptom with an attic cause. Warm air leaks through ceiling penetrations and melts roof snow from underneath; water runs down until it hits the cold eave and freezes. Shingles get lifted, gutters fill with ice, and interiors stain.
Roofers rightly care about membrane and edge details, but if the attic still bakes the deck, dams return. We treat the thermal plane: seal can lights and chases, fix bath fan terminations, and add consistent depth. After that, ventilation tweaks matter. If someone sells you more roof without touching leakage, expect repeat calls.