How to STOP ice dams forming and START protecting your roof.

In the extreme colds of Minnesota, ice dams are one of the top causes for winter roof damage after big snowfalls. So recognizing where they form and being proactive about preventing them will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Add insulation to your attic

Ice dams form during extreme temps, when the air outside your home is below freezing and the air inside is well above freezing. Make sure your attic space is thoroughly insulated with the right R-value. The insulation will act for both sides of your roof and prevent heat transfer–keeping the outside cold and the inside warm.

Change the ventilation

Warm, moist air collecting at the peak of your home causes the roof to heat and, ultimately, melt the underside of snow contacting your roof. By routing exhaust vents through the walls at the highest points, you prevent warm air from collecting in the first place.

You never want to send exhaust air through your soffits, as those are spots already prone to ice dam formation.

Seal ducts

Your roof can be nearly new and properly installed, but if you have ducts or plumbing vents that pass through it, they create unavoidable gaps in that barrier. This leads to warm air leaking out and melting the nearby snow, which can drip down into your ceiling and walls.

Those gaps also sabotage the hard work your insulation is doing. Seal up the gaps around wiring, chimneys, and plumbing vents with spray foam or caulking to prevent ice dams and save energy.

What if the ice dams have already formed?

We can safely remove the entire ice dam with our professional steaming service–guaranteed NOT to damage your roof.

Do you know what will damage your roof? Trying to chop ice dams off yourself. We outline those dangers and more in our next blog post.

Until then, contact us to get an estimate or book an appointment.