Homeowners in Minnesota are all-too familiar with ice damming. This issue occurs when snow and ice melt on top of the roof, trickle down the slope and refreeze along the eaves and gutters. Ice dams can damage your home in a number of ways. Today, the recipient of numerous five-star gutter guard reviews, Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota, shares why ice dams can be a huge problem and what to do about it.
- Ice dams create leaks. You can’t miss an ice dam–it’s the huge chunk of ice sitting at the edge of your roof. And while it looks solid now, that ice will thaw when it comes into contact with the warm air from your home. The water created by melting ice can seep through the fascia board and into your attic. Soon, the water will end up in your ceiling, insulation and walls, thoroughly weakening them.
- Ice dams encourage mold growth. When water from melting ice is absorbed by your home’s wooden elements, mold formation becomes more than a possibility. This not only creates a number of structural problems in your home, but the mold spores generated by the growth will also leave you vulnerable to a number of health risks.
- Ice dams can cause your gutters to collapse. The extra weight created by ice dams can put stress on your gutter system. When not dealt with quickly, it may cause your gutters to pull away from the roofline and collapse.
Preventing Ice Dam Formation
The good news is that there are a few simple and effective ways to head off ice damming. The most important thing is to make sure your roof has proper insulation and ventilation. This way, there’s less chance of snow and ice melting on your roof and refreezing on its eaves. Another good solution is to invest in a snow removal service to periodically remove any snow accumulation on your roof.
If you want something that takes less effort but is still very effective, you should consider investing in a high-quality Helmet Heat® ice reduction system. They are an optional addition to the Gutter Helmet gutter protection systems. Helmet Heat uses a self-regulating heating cable that melts the ice sitting along your gutters and fascia, minimizing the risk of ice dam formation.
Call Us Today!
The high-quality Gutter Helmet protection systems offered by Gutter Helmet of Northern Minnesota continue to earn rave gutter guard reviews–and with good reason. They are designed not only to ensure superior draining performance, but to reduce the potential of ice dams when paired with the Helmet Heat ice reduction system. To learn more on how our options can benefit you, call us today at (866) 937-3508 or fill out this contact form. We proudly serve Duluth, MN, and the surrounding areas.
