Do Albuquerque homes get ice dams?

Rarely. Below about 5,500 ft the freeze cycle is too short to build a true dam. The East Mountains, Placitas, Edgewood, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Taos are the real NM ice-dam zones.

Will heat cable fix an ice dam problem?

It's a band-aid, not a fix. Heat cable manages symptoms — the real fix is air-sealing the ceiling plane, adding attic insulation to R-49+, balancing ventilation, and confirming ice-and-water shield at the eaves.

Is ice-and-water shield required in NM?

Yes above roughly 5,000 ft under the NM IRC amendment — extending from the eave edge to at least 24 in inside the exterior wall line. In practice we recommend 36 in on any home that has ever had an ice dam.

NM Ice Dam Risk Calculator

Name: Roof Doctor NM
Address: Albuquerque, NM, US
Telephone: (505) 595-7203
Price range: $$

Independent NM inspector · no sales, no installs, NM only

(505) 595-7203

Roof Doctor NM

Independent NM Inspector

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Free · 60 seconds · Northern NM winter tool

Ice Dam Risk Score

Will your NM roof dam up this winter?

Six quick questions for Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Taos, and East Mountains homeowners. Instant risk grade + prevention checklist.

Question 1 of 6

Where is the home located?

Elevation and cold-hours drive ice dam risk more than anything else.

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Los Lunas · standing-seam metal · ponding at drain, recoat + taper scoped

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What people say after James walks their roof

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Three roofers wanted $32k after the June hailstorm. Roof Doctor NM walked the roof, took 84 photos, and said the hail was cosmetic. Saved me from a fraudulent claim.

Sarah K.Albuquerque · Nob Hill

Under contract on a Corrales house. The pre-purchase report caught two hidden layers the seller's disclosure missed. Got an $18k credit at closing.

David & Elena R.Corrales

Bid review flagged that the 'lifetime warranty' voided if we used the wrong underlayment — which the contractor had specced. Renegotiated the whole scope.

James P.Rio Rancho · Ventana Ranch

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