Ice Dam Prevention – St. Paul – Minneapolis

With winter months just around the corner, many Minnesota home owners will experience a condition called ice damming, one of the most common problems we have here when it snows. With many predicting that Old Man Winter will return with vengeance this year, Minneapolis is predicted to receive above-normal winter snowfall this upcoming winter.

Ice Dams – Remember ice dams? Surely you're aware if you live in Minnesota. They were nasty last winter. Ice Dams were a huge problem in the winter of 2010/2011. We had a record amount of snow fall early in the winter that resulted with almost every home being suffocated in ice dams.

The most obvious sign of heat loss in attics is ice dams – those huge masses of ice that build up at the edges of roofs. Ice dams occur because heat from the house escapes in to the attic, warms the roof, and causes snow to melt. When the water gets to the cold overhang at the eave, it freezes. As the ice builds up, it literally creates a dam. The trapped water can then leak into the home and cause damage to the roof decking, structural members, insulation, and even stain the ceiling.

Homeowners should take action now to prevent ice dams and halt a serious problem that can wreak havoc on your home. The good news is the damage is completely preventable!

There are a few things that you, as a homeowner, can do to prevent ice dams. In many instances, the answer is… insulation and ventilation! Proper insulation and roof ventilation can stop ice dams from forming, prevent damage and lower your energy bills.

Attic Insulation

Since the main cause of ice dams is an overly warm attic, the best way to start preventing ice dams is to lower the attic temperature. Installing additional insulation in the attic area is as easy as laying additional layers across the existing ones, or having more insulation blown in. However, there are limits to the usefulness of this procedure (diminishing returns), and a professional roofer or insulation person should be consulted if you have any questions.

If you see bare sections on your roof while the rest of the roof has snow, it is an indication there may be insufficient insulation under the bare areas and an inspection of the attic area should be made to confirm this – and then to remedy the situation if necessary.

And, finally, you should also inspect the weather-stripping and/or insulation on attic stairways or hatchways to be sure it is in good shape and seals well. This will help seal the warmth out of the attic area and help prevent ice dams.

Roof Ventilation

Even with optimal insulation, there is still heat leakage into the attic. This is when the value of attic ventilation becomes apparent. Without adequate ventilation, heat will build up regardless of the amount of insulation.

A properly ventilated attic deters ice dams by keeping the underside of the roof cool and preventing the snow from melting prematurely. Ventilation also prevents moisture buildup and keeps the underside of the roof cooler in the summer, which helps lengthen the life of the shingles.

If you are not sure about the condition of your roof, you should contact Minnesota Leafless Gutters for advice or assistance today at 612-221-0362!

Minnesota Leafless Gutters provides service to the entire Twin City Metro area and beyond. Call us today and discover the quality of our products and services, and also why Tim has become known as “The House Doctor” whose knowledge and standards of service can always be counted on.

Call 612.221.0362 or click for Gutter Guards in Minneapolis - St. Paul.