If you are not aware of what an ice dam is, it is the build up of ice at the edge of your roof. Sometimes these ice dams become so large that they back up water behind them and the water cannot properly drain from the roof and into the gutters. This water backup then causes the water to make its way under shingles, which then makes its way to the underlayment, and then to the roof deck. Once the water makes it to the roof deck, it becomes saturated and this can lead to rotting. This also leads to major leaks that result in further and more expensive damage to the home.

Because Minnesota sees a lot of snow in the winter, ice dams are a frequent occurrence. And not only is roof damage caused by ice dams, but overall structural damage can be caused.

Here are some ways in which you can prevent ice dams:

• Insulate– You want to keep your roof cold in the winter so that the snow will not melt on your roof. And when it does melt, it will not freeze again to create an ice dam. You need a roof that stays a constant temperature from top to bottom and from the peak to the eaves. Adding insulation to your attic floor will help regulate temperature
• Ventilate – An attic that is well ventilated in the winter is an attic that stays cold in the winter. When the attic stays cold, the roof stays cold. You will get lesser melt and when the snow does melt, it will most likely not refreeze because the temperature will be warmer by that point.
• An ice belt – If you have good insulation and ventilation and you are still getting ice dams, you can tell your Minnesota roofer and they will install an ice belt around the eaves. It provides an area where the ice and snow can just slide off rather than an ice dam form snow and. In this case, it may be necessary to remove the gutters so that they don’t hold the snow and ice.
• Heat tracing – Heat tracing is also a technique that is used in order to keep the eaves warm and prevent refreezing. This method is not a huge energy user, but does require electricity.
• Rake it – You can purchase a roof rake and rake away the snow as soon as it forms. You do this around the edges of your roof so that there are no obstacles in the way when the snow melts off of the roof.

A Minnesota roofing contractor can also add a waterproofing membrane along the eaves, the valleys, and behind your gutters. This provides extra protection against water that may penetrate the roofing. This can be a great way to prevent leaks. Nevertheless, damage from ice dams do require immediate attention in order to avoid bad leaks and rotting of the roof deck and other structural areas.