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Ice damming is an all-too familiar problem many homeowners face during the winter. This occurs when snow melts on top of your roof and refreezes along the eaves and gutters. Ice dams are not only a safety hazard, they can also lead to a number of roofing and gutters issues. That’s why you’ll want to work on their removal before they begin causing extensive damage. But the methods of ice dam removal come with their own pros and cons. Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota, the expert in cleaning gutters with gutter guards, discusses them here.

Ice Dam Removal Methods

Chipping the Ice Away

For this task, you’ll need an ice pick or awl–but a hatchet or crowbar might work, as well. Once you have them, stand on a stabilized ladder or another sturdy object, then use the tools to chip away at the ice along your gutters and roof. You don’t actually need to remove all the ice. Just chip enough to create a channel where melted snow and ice can run through the gutters. 

Pro: The tools are readily available and chipping off a section of ice is simple enough.

Con: With unnecessary force and a slip of a tool, you might inadvertently damage your gutters and roof.

Eliminate the Source 

You can stop ice dams from forming in the first place by removing the snow on top of your roof–which may be considered the ‘fuel source’. You only need a snow rake, a retractable one that can extend up to 17 feet or so. Stand on the ground and use the snow rake to scrape the snowpack down your roofing system. 

Pro: A retractable snow rake can be bought almost anywhere, and because you won’t have to climb up a ladder to remove the snow, you’ll be much safer.

Con: You’ll need to be careful about pulling the snow off your roof. Otherwise, you might damage, or even dislodge, the roofing shingles.

Invest in an Ice Reduction System

Any snow and ice buildup on your gutters and gutter protection system can be easily mitigated by an ice reduction system. Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota can help you with this. Aside from cleaning gutters with gutter guards, we can also handle ice dam removal through our Helmet Heat® Ice Reduction System. It comes with an exclusive self-regulating heating cable designed to keep ice and snow from accumulating around your gutters and Gutter Helmet® gutter guards. 

If your home has Gutter Helmet® gutter guards, we can set up your Helmet Heat® Ice Reduction System, no problem. With this effective option in place, you won’t need to manually remove ice dams anymore. All you need to do is switch the system on and off at the recommended times. 

When it comes to exceptional gutter solutions, Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota will definitely deliver. We serve the areas in and around Culver and Duluth, MN. Call us today at (800) 824-3772 or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation. 

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