The cold winter months bring with them a slew of winter and snow-related problems, especially when it comes to your roof. While snow may look pretty, it can pose a variety of risks to you and your home. In this article, gutter guard systems company, Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota, shares five ways to safely and efficiently deal with ice dam formation.
Manage Attic Temperatures
Perhaps the best way to deal with ice dams is to prevent them from forming in the first place, and doing so in the comfort of your home will ensure your safety. Maintain the ideal attic temperature with the help of insulation and ventilation fans. Putting a stop to overheating, which can bake your roof, will prevent snow from melting too quickly at the top spot of your roof and refreezing at the cooler edges, which is what causes ice dams to form.
Use a Roof Rake
Ice dams can form quickly during heavy snowfall. Manually removing snow buildup four feet from the edge of your roof can help prevent ice dams from forming. Use a roof rake with a long handle for this process, and remember to stand far back from where the snow will fall. Never climb a roof or use a ladder to remove snow. If you must, hire a professional to do it for you.
Take Advantage of Ice Melt Products
It’s been widely believed that putting salt in a stocking is a good solution for melting ice dams. In reality, however, this ice dam hack isn’t effective at all. Calcium chloride de-icer and other ice-melting products are much more effective and convenient for managing ice dams. Note, however, that exposure to high amounts of calcium chloride can severely harm plants.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
Making sure your gutters are cleaned out even before the first snow falls will ensure optimally functioning gutters come winter. Clear gutters allow proper flow and management of melted snow. No time to clean your gutters? Investing in an efficient gutter cover system to save yourself the time and effort of cleaning. Contact your gutter company regarding the best types of gutter guard systems.
Invest in Heating Cables
Heating cables such as Helmet Heat®, offered by Gutter Helmet, help prevent ice dam formations by keeping the gutters at the ideal temperature to prevent ice from forming.
Gutter Helmet of Northern Minnesota offers high-quality gutter covers that work. With a Gutter Helmet gutter protection system, clogged gutters will be a thing of the past. Call us today at (866) 937-3508 to schedule a free in-home consultation. We serve Culver, Minnesota.
