How to deal with the ice dam--

One of the many household problems that arrive with the cool temperatures of winter is the occurrence of ice dams. It's inevitable that it will snow this winter, thus creating the annoying and costly ice dam.
What causes an ice dam?
An  ice dam is a mass of ice along the edge of a sloped roof. Water from melting snow on a roof can get trapped behind the dam of ice. As the water collects behind the dam, it can get trapped under the shingles causing damage to your home's ceiling and walls. As a result, many houses are left with soaked insulation, stained paint or wallpaper and stained exterior siding. Water melting on your roof is usually caused by heat loss from the house through inadequately insulated and vented attics. The melted water runs down the roof to the edge, which is colder and freezes, creating the dam.
What to do?
During the winter it can be difficult to prevent ice dams, but you can reduce the problem by removing the snow from your roof before it has time to melt. Shoveling or raking snow from the roof while standing on a ladder is not only dangerous, but can also cause damage to the shingles, leading to leaks or reduced roof life. The best way to clear snow and ice is to increase the insulation in the attic, thus reducing the heat loss from your house. Check existing insulation for wetness and make sure attic vents are not blocked.
(Continued)