Expert Ice Dam Removal Services: Safeguarding Your Home & Business from Winter’s Wrath

Ice dams are a common issue in the Twin Cities area, and are typically caused by a combination of factors related to winter weather conditions and the construction of your roof. Understanding these contributing factors can help address and prevent ice dams.

When the attic or roof space is poorly insulated, heat from the interior of the building can rise and warm the roof surface. This warming can lead to uneven melting of snow on the roof, causing water to run down to the eaves where it refreezes, forming an ice dam. Proper attic ventilation can help to maintain a consistent roof temperature. Insufficient ventilation can result in hot spots on the roof where snow melts and refreezes at the eaves.

Of course, the weather plays a huge role in the formation of ice dams. Heavy snowfall can contribute, if the snow is not removed quickly. As snow accumulates on the roof, the bottom layer can melt due to heat escaping from the interior. The melted water then flows down to the colder eaves, where it freezes, forming an ice dam. Additionally, as the winter temperatures fluctuate, thawing occurs during the day and freezing at night, which exacerbates the ice dam problem.

Finally, your roof’s pitch and design contribute as well. Roofs with a shallow pitch or multiple intersecting rooflines are more prone to ice dams because they provide less surface area for the snow to naturally slide off. In addition, certain architectural features, like dormers and valleys, can also create areas where snow accumulates and contributes to ice dam formation.