Understanding is the First Step Towards Ice Dam Prevention

The ice dam is a strange phenomenon that affects roofs in cold climates and, like many natural occurrences, needs to be understood before it can be resolved. It is a build-up of ice on a roof, usually around the eaves, and it's a result of the meeting of a freezing substance – snow – and a warm surface - a roof.

What makes this such a conundrum is that it sounds counter-intuitive because when snow meets warmth it melts and that's the end of it. In truth, that would be the case if the whole roof was warm. But it isn't.

Here is how to think about ice dams and ice dam prevention.

They are caused not by the original snowfall but by the fact that it melted and flowed down the roof until it found a ferociously cold area around the edge, where it froze again.

Why are there variations in temperature on the roof? Because in an occupied house there is heating, and that leaks upward, through the roof, melting the snow. This can happen even if there is insulation unless that insulation is properly installed and not just thrown in there to fill the gap by someone who hadn't thought it through – hadn't thought about ice dam prevention.

But around the edges, the situation changes. There you don't have the sandwich of indoor heat, insulation, and roof, because the insulating material has to end somewhere and therefore the leaking heat isn't there either. All you've got is a naked roof edge, left to its own devices up there, exposed to the elements. The melted snow, which is not exactly warm but just warmed up enough to change its state from snow to water, hits this freezing zone and refreezes, causing a barrier or blockage. That is an ice dam.

Interesting? Yes. Pretty? Maybe. Problematic? Certainly.

The sight of someone else's house with icicles hanging from the edges may be eye-catching and make you wonder how exactly it happened, so it's interesting in that respect. But when it's your roof, that's a different matter. This is a maintenance issue, something that needs to be dealt with before it becomes a problem.

If you're dealing with both roof and siding concerns, consulting experienced siding contractors in Milwaukee can help resolve these issues together.

Winter Roof Care: Ice Dam Prevention

There are ways to stop ice dams, and if you have an inquiring mind, you may like to know them. But really, what you need is a good ice dam prevention service, which means a roofing company that knows how to do this. But just so you can follow what they're telling you they are going to do, here are some steps they may take.

Bringing the insulation up to standard is an important one because as we have seen, no leaking heat means the snow continues to be snow until the air temperature drops and then normal service is resumed: down the roof, into the gutter, down the downpipe, and away.

Ventilation is another factor, directing the escaping heat away from areas where it can cause trouble to start. If you're in Oak Creek, contacting an Oak Creek roofing company for your needs can help you implement these preventive measures.

Heat tape or cables can be fitted in problem areas, turning the ice back into easily controlled water. For residents in Hartland, local roofing contractors in Hartland specialize in designing roofs to prevent ice dams and other weather-related issues.

Collaborating with trusted roofing companies in Milwaukee ensures tailored solutions that protect your home from weather-related damage.

The Value of Professional Guidance

A trusted company like Four Leaf Roofing & Windows will guide you through their ice dam prevention service. With a basic understanding of the issue, you can confidently approve their proposed solutions and choose the best options for your home.

To further understand how environmental factors impact your roof, explore our blog on how weather affects your roof. Insights like these can help you make informed decisions about roof maintenance and upgrades.

Ice dam prevention is essential for maintaining the integrity of your roof and protecting your home from costly damage. With the right professional guidance, you can implement effective solutions that ensure your roof remains resilient through harsh winters, offering you peace of mind and long-lasting protection.

Do You Need to Buy a Roof Rake for Ice Dams?

This is a serious question: do you – or do you not – need a roof rake for ice dams? Is it necessary? Is it safe? Is it a good idea?

Most people around the world have never even heard of an ice dam roof rake. They have probably never heard of an ice dam or a roof rake when you really get down to it. If you have not only heard of these things but are thinking of buying the second to get rid of the first, it's because you live in a cold place that has unique home maintenance issues.

Snow is cute – to people who don't get much of it. It is the stuff of Christmas cards and it's great fun for kids. But if it's a fact of life every year because you get too much of it, snow is not fun at all. You can't prevent it, so you want it to be gone as soon as possible.

Snow causes problems, or rather its close relative, ice, does. Ice dams on roofs are build-ups of ice that interrupt the basic process of getting water off the roof and into the gutters and downpipes.

For proper management and long-term solutions, Four Leaf Roofing & Windows offers professional services to address these challenges effectively. If you're considering alternative options, trusted roofing companies in Racine can guide you through preventive measures tailored to local weather conditions.

Different Types of Roof Rake

This is not a rake like a garden rake, with prongs for grabbing leaves and debris without pulling everything else with it. A roof rake is more like a scraper, with one wide blade that pulls a strip of snow down the shingles. And that's something else to consider: the shingles. Roofs are not tough like driveways. They need to be treated with care. You can damage roof tiles quite easily, by loosening them or pulling them clean off, and that would give you an even bigger problem to deal with.

In addition to the straightforward roof rake, there are some weird and wonderful designs including one with a trailing sheet of plastic down which the pulled snow can slide more easily. But where is this snow going to go? On your head? Up your sleeves? Or just in a big pile on the ground which you will have to deal with next?

If You Really Want to Buy a Roof Rake for Ice Dams

If you are determined to do this, be careful. And good luck. It can be done, but it is more often done by professionals who will use proper safety equipment and have the skill and experience to do the job safely.

If you’re in Germantown, a Germantown roofing company you can trust can handle these tasks for you efficiently. Similarly, for homeowners in Menomonee Falls, trusted roofing services in Menomonee Falls offer expertise in managing snow and ice dams.

For those interested in understanding seasonal maintenance schedules, our blog on Milwaukee homeowners’ roof inspection schedule provides helpful tips for proactive care.

The roof is not the place for an amateur to be attempting DIY at the best of times, let alone in freezing conditions. It is good to remove snow quickly, even before it can lead to ice dams, but it is so much more sensible to get this done by professionals. Find a good one and get a quote. Get them on the case regularly, as a specialist part of your all-round maintenance program. Let them take care of your shingles or whatever you've got up there. Take their advice about insulation, ventilation, and other things that can help.

But if all else fails and you can do it safely yourself, okay, go ahead and buy a roof rake for ice dams.