What common issue may lead to ice damming at the eaves?

Inadequate attic insulation is a key factor that can lead to ice damming at the eaves. When an attic lacks proper insulation, heat from the living spaces below escapes into the attic. This causes the roof surface to warm up, leading to snow on the roof melting, then running down to the eaves where it encounters the colder exterior temperatures. At the eaves, this meltwater can refreeze, forming ice dams as the water accumulates and freezes in layers.

The formation of ice dams can create serious problems, including water backflow under shingles and into the home, potentially leading to water damage and structural issues. Adequate attic insulation helps maintain a uniform temperature on the roof surface, allowing snow to melt and drain away without refreezing at the eaves.

Other options, while they can contribute to other roofing problems, do not directly relate to the heat dynamics that cause ice dams the way inadequate insulation does.