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Why Ice Dams Are Common During Minnesota Winters

Why Ice Dams Are Common During Minnesota Winters

As a Minnesota homeowner, you are probably all too familiar with the damage that ice dams can cause. In winter, these pesky chunks of ice form on your roof and in your seamless gutters, causing water to back up and leak into your home. In this article, we will go in-depth on how ice dams form, their effects and how to prevent them.

Why Ice Dams Are Common During Minnesota Winters

What Is an Ice Dam?

If you are new to a cold place like Minnesota, an ice dam is a wall of ice that forms at the edge of your roof, usually in the gutters. Ice dams can be incredibly damaging to your home because they prevent water from draining properly. They can cause water to back up and leak into your home, causing extensive damage to your walls, ceilings and floors.

How Do Ice Dams Form?

Ice dams typically form when the snow melts on your roof and then refreezes at the edges. This issue can happen for a few reasons, but the most common is when a warm spell occurs during the winter. The sun can also contribute to the formation of ice dams by melting snow on your roof.

The Effects of Ice Dams

Ice dams can cause a lot of damage to your home. As we mentioned, they can prevent water from draining correctly, leading to leaks and flooding. These ice formations can also cause your gutters to pull away from your roof and damage shingles. In extreme cases, ice dams can even cause roofs to collapse.

Why Ice Dams Are Common During Minnesota Winters

There are several reasons why ice dams are common during Minnesota winters. First, our winters are long and cold, creating perfect conditions for ice to form. Second, we tend to have a lot of snowfall, which can add weight to your roof and contribute to the formation of ice dams. Finally, homes typically have steep roofs, making it more likely for water to pool and freeze at the edges.

How to Prevent Ice Dams

You can do several things to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. First, ensure your gutters are regularly cleaned, or call a professional gutter cleaning service. Clean gutters will help water to drain properly and prevent ice from building up. 

Second, seal any cracks or gaps in your roof to prevent heat from escaping and melting snow. Insulate your attic so that snow doesn’t melt and refreeze at the edges of your roof.

You can do all these things, but cleaning your gutters constantly during winter can be dangerous, and sealing the cracks and insulating your attic can be tedious. It’s better to get professional help with your snow and ice removal issues.

Call Advantage Seamless Gutters for Winter Services 

Ice dams can be a serious problem for St. Cloud, MN, homeowners. If you’re concerned about ice dams, contact Advantage Seamless Gutters. We can help you remove ice dams from your gutters. We also specialize in gutter installation and repair.  Call us at (218) 270-2663 or fill out our online form to get started.