Add Or Replace Attic Insulation In Minneapolis, MN
Prevent Ice Dams with Attic Insulation
Attic Insulation has a very important part in preventing Ice Dams. When your home does not have an efficient amount of insulation this causes your roof to heat up. When it is cold outside and your roof heats up this causes the bottom layer of snow to melt, once the running water reaches the overhang of your roof (Which does not heat up) it will freeze on the edge. Over time the ice will keep building up and then the water will have no place to go besides into your home and down your walls.
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Many times we are asked how ice dams form? How to prevent Ice Dams from forming?
and how to make them go away. Here we will go over each of those questions.
How do Ice Dams Form?
There is two main reasons Ice dams form. Reason one is there is not enough insulation in your attic. This may cause your roof to heat up. When it is cold outside and your roof heats up this causes the bottom layer of snow to melt, once the running water reaches the overhang of your roof (Which does not heat up) it will freeze on the edge. Over time the ice will keep building up and then the water will have no place to go besides into your home and down your walls.
The second reason Ice Dams form is from having to much snow on your roof. Having a lot much snow on your roof covers your roof vents which release heat from your roof. When the snow is over your vents it acts like insulation on top of your roof keeping the heat in. In this case it acts the same way as not having enough insulation, it will heat up your roof and cause the water to freeze on the edge of your roof. Clearing the snow off of your roof after each snow fall is very beneficial in preventing ice dams.
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The second reason Ice Dams form is from having to much snow on your roof. Having a lot much snow on your roof covers your roof vents which release heat from your roof. When the snow is over your vents it acts like insulation on top of your roof keeping the heat in. In this case it acts the same way as not having enough insulation, it will heat up your roof and cause the water to freeze on the edge of your roof. Clearing the snow off of your roof after each snow fall is very beneficial in preventing ice dams.
How do I Prevent Ice Dams From Forming?
Preventing Ice Dams is much easier and more cost effective than needing to remove ice dams from your roof and possibly needing to do renovations from water damage.
Keeping the snow off of your roof is the best thing to do to for your roof when preventing Ice dams. How can ice dams form when there is no water on your roof to cause them?
Here are a few tips when removing the snow from your roof.
-If you choose to do it yourself always have safety gear when climbing onto your roof. Use chains for your boots, harness yourself so you do not fall, use a plastic shovel and not one with a metal tip and always shovel towards the ground so you do not tear shingles off of your roof.
-When using a snow rake to remove snow from your roof be sure to scrape all the way down to your shingles. Do not only remove most of the snow. When this happens the snow rake actually packs down the snow to your roof and this packed down snow turns to ice and in most cases goes up your roof much further. In most cases when this happens ice dams form the entire length of the area you shovel.
-Uncomfortable with this? If you need to hire a professional to remove the snow and ice from your roof be sure to find the right company. Check to make sure they are bonded and insured and when they are on your roof don't be afraid to ask questions to ensure safety procedures.
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Keeping the snow off of your roof is the best thing to do to for your roof when preventing Ice dams. How can ice dams form when there is no water on your roof to cause them?
Here are a few tips when removing the snow from your roof.
-If you choose to do it yourself always have safety gear when climbing onto your roof. Use chains for your boots, harness yourself so you do not fall, use a plastic shovel and not one with a metal tip and always shovel towards the ground so you do not tear shingles off of your roof.
-When using a snow rake to remove snow from your roof be sure to scrape all the way down to your shingles. Do not only remove most of the snow. When this happens the snow rake actually packs down the snow to your roof and this packed down snow turns to ice and in most cases goes up your roof much further. In most cases when this happens ice dams form the entire length of the area you shovel.
-Uncomfortable with this? If you need to hire a professional to remove the snow and ice from your roof be sure to find the right company. Check to make sure they are bonded and insured and when they are on your roof don't be afraid to ask questions to ensure safety procedures.
How do I make my Ice Dams go away?
Removing ice dams in a safe way does require a professional. There is many steps in keeping yourself and your roof safe from damage. Ice Dam Removal companies charge by the hour for their services.
Bonded and insured companies typically charge 300-500 per hour. Using an Insured company is important because standing on an icy roof in the middle of winter is risky. If someone falls and gets hurt or an ice chunk falls off of your roof and damages something but you didn't make sure they were insured you could potentially be sued or have to pay out of pocket to repair any damages.
Another factor in removing ice dams in an efficient way is using the correct equipment. The Ice Dam Crew uses true low pressure steamers and not hot water pressure washers. When you hire a company you can easily find out what kind of machine they are using. All you need to do is ask to see their wand. If it has a trigger they are using a hot water pressure washer. If it does not have a trigger it is a true steamer. Hot water pressure washers do not burn as hot as a true steamer and they create much more damage because they have such a high PSI. In the case that this happens tell them to leave and hire a company with a true steamer.
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Bonded and insured companies typically charge 300-500 per hour. Using an Insured company is important because standing on an icy roof in the middle of winter is risky. If someone falls and gets hurt or an ice chunk falls off of your roof and damages something but you didn't make sure they were insured you could potentially be sued or have to pay out of pocket to repair any damages.
Another factor in removing ice dams in an efficient way is using the correct equipment. The Ice Dam Crew uses true low pressure steamers and not hot water pressure washers. When you hire a company you can easily find out what kind of machine they are using. All you need to do is ask to see their wand. If it has a trigger they are using a hot water pressure washer. If it does not have a trigger it is a true steamer. Hot water pressure washers do not burn as hot as a true steamer and they create much more damage because they have such a high PSI. In the case that this happens tell them to leave and hire a company with a true steamer.
