Anyone that resides in an area like Duluth MN where the temperatures drop below 32 degrees has probably seen an ice dam. These thick chucks of ice appear on roofs, usually by gutters, in the winter after a good size snow fall. They can cause water leakage and a lot of damage to a structure if not prevented or dealt with in a timely matter.
Ice dams are a collection of snow that has melted, due to warmth seeping out of a heated structure, then freezing again. If a roof does not maintain a same steady temperature the snow under the warmer areas will melt, dripping down and meeting just above the gutters to refreeze as a solid mass of ice. Not having adequate insulation in the attic or poorly designed ventilation would be a couple common reasons a structure would loose heat, therefore creating a dam of ice.
There are multiple ways to prevent an ice dam. The most effective and less risky way is to increase insulation in the attic so that the heat can not escape, this would be my recommendation. You can also use electric heat tape, which has mixed reviews on the damage it can do to a roof. Roof rakes are sold at most hardware stores, just make sure not to damage any shingles and be mindful of the gutters. Hardware stores also sell pellets to prevent an ice dam from occurring. One of the more creative ways I have heard to prevent an ice dam is to fill an old sock with sand and throw it up on the roof where the water accumulates (never actually tried this one personally).
Whichever you choose, it will be much less of a hassle to actually prevent these pesky and expensive ice dams than it will be to get rid of one that is staring you in the face. Though risky and I would never suggest a DIY ice dam removal, there are some ways to remove them yourself (could actually cost you more than what the ice dam will, all said and done). As you can imagine, without the right tools and experience the only way to remove an ice dam quickly is by pure force, which will most likely damage whatever is under the massive heap of ice. Luckily, there are ice dam removal professionals that have the tools and know what they are doing so they can properly and safely get rid of your icy mess, please be sure to call one if you notice parts of your roof becoming a small ice rink due to the winter weather.
