Ice Dams Removal

Every homeowner needs to be aware of a winter hazard that can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage to their homes. The culprit is an ice dam that forms at the edge of your home’s roof and stops the melting snow, also known as water, from running off the roof. Instead, the ice dam works like a beaver dam and prevents the water from draining the ground harmlessly. Instead, it remains on the roof behind the ice dam and eventually seeps into the house, creating costly water and mold damage.

How Ice Dams Form

Every homeowner needs to be aware of a winter hazard that can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage to their homes. The most common reason for ice dams is heat loss through your roof. If the entire roof is well insulated and remains cold throughout the winter, there are no worries of snow melting and water damaging your home. So it is essential that an expert take a look at your attic and the exterior surface of your home’s roof to determine where heat is leaking out of the house and creating moisture issues by melting the snow on the roof.

Is The HVAC System To Blame?

In addition to uneven insulation creating heat leakage through the roof, there can be issues created by your HVAC ductwork. If the ducts are not sealed or insulated, they can lose enough heat to warm the roof and melt the snow. That water drains toward the roof’s edge that is not warmed by leaking heat, and icicles begin to form. While these look very festive, they are a sign of potential trouble for your roof and the interior of your home.

A Fast And Simple Solution

Another issue that is less challenging to correct is your attic light. If you forget to turn off that old incandescent light bulb in the attic, it will start generating some heat. Think of the kid’s Easy-Bake Oven that uses only a lightbulb to cook tiny cakes in minutes. So if you leave that lightbulb on for a few days, it is not surprising to see an ice dam forming on your otherwise trouble-free roof. However, this solution is much easier than the leaking ductwork. Just climb back into the attic and shut off the light.

Call In A Professional For Severe Ice Damming

Ice dams can cause water damage to the structure of your home’s roof, attic, walls, ceilings, and even your basement. The longer the problem exists, the more damage you will discover inside your house. So when you notice those massive icicles hanging from your roof, understand that it is a warning sign that you need to call A-Z Underground at 612-977-3023. With over twenty years dedicated to helping the residents of Minnesota handle the challenges of this harsh environment, they offer the professional services needed to eliminate ice dams and significantly reduce the potential of water damage in your home.