The winter months in Minnesota seem to last forever–especially this one. We have had subzero temperatures all throughout December, and it can take a toll on your roof. Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, and it commonly gets overlooked. During the winter season, your gutters clog up with ice, then water runoff from the roof becomes trapped by the dam and gradually backs up the roof, moves under the shingles, and leaks into the house.
It is extremely important to remove an ice dam before it causes damage–because it could result in thousands of dollars in repair, or even a new roof.
What is an Ice Dam?
An Ice dam, is an issue of house and building maintenance in cold regions. An ice dam is the ridge of ice that develops at the edge of a roof which hinders melting snow from draining as it normally should. Melted snow that backs up behind the ice dam can leak into your home and can cause damage, not only to your roof, but to your walls, floors, ceilings, insulation, and more.
Ice dams commonly appear on the lowest edge of your roof.
What causes Ice Dams?
An ice dam can develop when snow builds up on the slanted roof of a house with insufficient insulation and warm air seeps into the attic through chimneys, attic hatches, recessed lights, and more. These warm air leaks are known as attic bypasses. Heat can travel through these bypasses and warm the roof which melts snow.
Other factors such as solar orientation, tree coverage, and weather conditions can also cause ice dams.
Because no two homes are exactly alike, it is typical that your neighbor may have a minor leak while you are suffering from a major leak.
7 Warning Signs of an Ice Dam
Below is a list of 7 warning signs that you may have an ice dam that may need immediate attention to prevent any further damage:
- Your home has had one or many ice dams in the past.
- You see icicles developing on the edge of the roof, or off the front edge of the gutter.
- Ice is seeping through the soffit.
- Ice is developing behind the gutters.
- You start to see ice or water on the outside wall.
- You start to see water coming through the frame of a door or window.
- Notice any water on walls, ceiling, or floors inside your home.
Ice Dam Removal using Steam
The only way to safely and properly remove an ice dam is with steam. Any other method is too risky because roofs can be very fragile in freezing temperatures and are easily damaged. Ice dam removal using tools like a hammer or a power washer can lead to significant damage.
A lot of companies that reassure their clients that they use steamers are usually not telling the truth or mislead. The easiest way to tell the difference between a steamer and a power washer is that a steamer will NEVER have a triggered gun.
Removing ice dams properly can be dangerous and requires the tools and the right education. Our team at Eastside Exteriors has over 25 years of experience removing ice dams from homes in the Minneapolis region. We are professional exterior contractors who specialize in siding, windows, and roofing so you can rest assured that your roof is in good hands.
If you have an ice dam, call our office (612)619-5728 today!
