Tips to Protect Your Home From Ice Dams

Winter can transform Minnesota neighborhoods into a wonderland, from snowy rooftops to roofs dripping with icicles. But while beautiful, this winter landscape can be disastrous for your home, especially when ice dams begin to form.

Winter’s freeze and thaw cycle can cause snow and ice to melt and refreeze on your roof. As ice freezes again at the cold edges of your roof, it starts to create a wall that functions as a dam for future rain and snowmelt. With no ability to run off of your roof, all of that water can seep into your home, causing significant damage.

In this post from Restoration Network, we’re sharing helpful advice to protect your home from ice dams. To schedule your ice dam removal or water cleanup services, give us a call.

Damage From Ice Dams

The last thing you need in the middle of winter is water seeping in through your roof.

These are just a few of the problems we see caused by ice dams:

●        Roof decking damage

●        Attic damage

●        Insulation saturation

●        Stained ceilings

●        Wall staining and water damage

●        Gutter damage

●        Mold proliferation inside your home

Preventing Ice Dams

The key to preventing ice dams starts with understanding what causes them to form. Although the heat from the sun can cause ice dams to form on your roof, poor attic insulation is also a key factor.

Ice dams can form with as little as an inch or two of snow accumulation on your roof. Anytime the temperature outside reaches more than 32 degrees and then refreezes, you risk ice dam formation.

To prevent ice dams from forming, start by targeting these areas before winter begins to give your home a better chance of weathering winter weather.

Insulation

Upgrading the insulation in your attic will prevent heat conduction. This means you will keep hot air inside your home, instead of letting it escape to your roof.

Waterproofing

A roof installation with waterproofing underlayment will help to keep ice dam runoff out of your home. As ice and snow melt, water will be less likely to seep inside your roof or attic, protecting the rest of your home from any form of water damage.

Ventilation

 A well-ventilated attic helps to keep your roof deck’s temperature even and cool. Attics that retain too much heat cause snow and ice to melt on your roof, and as that water runs toward your gutters, it refreezes, building ice dams.

Additionally, attics that have little to no ventilation tend to trap condensation. That moisture then seeps into your walls, causing water damage, mold and mildew growth, and other structural problems.

Gutter Cleaning

Have your gutters professionally cleaned, repaired, or replaced so they drain properly when you need them to. When snowmelt can’t drain through a gutter, it refreezes and accumulates along your roofline, forming ice dams. In some cases, the dams can weigh down gutters to the point of ripping them from your home and causing additional roof and siding damage.

Sticks, leaves, and wind-blown debris often clog gutters in the fall, so having your gutters thoroughly cleaned out before winter is smart. Consider installing gutter covers, too, to allow water to drain into gutters but not leaves and debris.

Heat Cables

As an extra layer of protection to prevent ice dams, you could install heat cables along your roof or gutters. They are usually attached along the edge of the roof in a zigzag pattern and help equalize the temperature of the roof by offering heat from outside. Just make sure to get these heated cables installed before winter starts.

If an Ice Dam Starts Forming

Even with the best preventative measures in place, ice dams can still form. Throughout the winter, pay attention to your roof, edges, and gutters and try to clear off snow as frequently as you can. Investing in tools and professionals helps keep your home safe all winter long.

Snow Rakes

This long-handled aluminum rake-like tool allows you to reach the snow along your roofline and even up on your roof from the ground. Being careful to not scratch your shingles, you can use this tool to pull snow off your roof.

If you have access and the ability to get on your roof to remove snow from the top down, you can push off the one factor that causes ice dams and save your home that way. Of course, being on a snowy or icy roof is risky, so take great care when removing snow yourself.

Hire a Professional

The easiest way to stop ice dams and remove them from your property is to hire professionals. Through steam power equipment, most pros will efficiently melt the ice dams that have formed, as well as remove excess snow and ice from your roof and gutters so you won’t have to worry about ice dams reforming (at least not until the next big snow).

Prevent Ice Dams With Restoration Network

While we can repair your roof and restore your home from water damage after ice dams wreck havoc, call us before it snows and prevent a disaster from occurring. Schedule gutter and roof maintenance today! Call 612-564-0202 or message us online.