Winter in Garfield: Preventing Ice Dams on Midland Ave Homes

If you have lived in Garfield for more than a few winters, you know the drill. The snow looks beautiful settling on the historic homes along Midland Ave and River Drive, but as soon as the temperature drops, that beauty can turn into a homeowner’s nightmare: ice dams.

As one of the top rated roofing services in Garfield, NJ, we see it every January and February. The “wind tunnel” effect on our wider streets, combined with the older construction style of many Bergen County homes, creates the perfect conditions for ice to build up at your roof’s edge, trapping water and forcing it back under your shingles.

Here is why ice dams happen specifically in our neighborhood and how you can stop them before they cause a leak.

What Is an Ice Dam (And Why Do They Happen Here?)

An ice dam occurs when the snow on your roof melts, runs down the slope, and refreezes at the eaves (the edge of the roof).

Why does the snow melt if it’s freezing outside? usually, it’s because heat is escaping from your living space into your attic. This warm air melts the snow on the upper part of your roof. When that water reaches the eaves—which are not heated by the attic—it freezes solid.

Why is this common in Garfield? Many homes in the 07026 zip code, especially those built before 1970, often lack modern insulation standards. If your attic floor isn’t properly sealed, you are essentially heating your roof. On windy streets like Midland Ave, the wind chill freezes that runoff faster than it can drain, creating thick ridges of ice.

The Damage: It’s More Than Just Icicles

Those long icicles might look festive, but they are often a sign of trouble. If water gets trapped behind an ice dam, it has nowhere to go but up—backing up under your shingles.

Once that water breaches the roof deck, it can lead to:

• Rotting roof decking and rafters.
• Soaked attic insulation (which becomes useless when wet).
• Water stains on your ceilings and walls.

If you already notice water spots or moisture in your attic, you need to act fast. Contact our roof repair specialists in 07026 immediately to prevent structural damage.

3 Ways to Prevent Ice Dams in Garfield

You don’t have to wait for a leak to protect your home. Here are three things you can do right now:

1. Seal and Insulate Your Attic

The root cause of an ice dam is a warm roof. By adding proper insulation to your attic floor and sealing gaps around light fixtures and pipes, you keep the heat inside your home where it belongs.

2. Check Your Ventilation

A cold attic is a happy attic. Your soffit vents (under the eaves) and ridge vents (at the peak) work together to flush out warm air. We often find that older Garfield homes have had their soffit vents painted over or blocked by insulation.

3. Professional Snow Removal

After a heavy Nor’easter, safely removing the bottom 3-4 feet of snow from your roof with a roof rake can prevent the dam from forming. However, this can be dangerous if you don’t have the right footing.

Warning: Put Down the Axe!

Every year, we see homeowners climbing ladders with hammers, axes, or rock salt pucks trying to chip away the ice. Please do not do this.

Using an axe or hammer is the fastest way to shatter your shingles and void your manufacturer’s warranty. Rock salt can also corrode your aluminum gutters and nails. If the ice is already there, you need professional steam removal or targeted melting solutions that won’t destroy your roof.

Don’t Wait for the Drip

Ice dams are silent until they aren’t. If you are worried about the snow accumulating on your roof, or if you suspect your attic insulation isn’t doing its job, we are here to help.

Active Leak? Don’t Wait. Water damage gets worse by the minute. Grayson Roofing & Chimney provides 24/7 emergency roofing response near MacArthur Ave. We are local, fully equipped, and just minutes away.

Call (201) 310-7147 Now Licensed NJ Contractor #13VH08775100 | Serving Garfield, Clifton, and Lodi since 2003.