Ice dams can cause a lot of stress and hassle for Michigan homeowners. Not only can they be dangerous and difficult to remove, they can damage your roof and cause leaks. If you’re tired of dealing with ice dams hanging over your eaves and gutters, you may need professional ice dam removal services in Royal Oak.

Here’s what to know about ice dams, why they occur, how to prevent them, and what can be done to remedy the situation.

Ice Dams: Defined

An ice dam is essentially a large block of ice that forms along your roof’s edges, typically at the gutter line. Because your home and roof are warmer than the outside and because warm air moves upwards, the heat that is trapped around the top of your roof will heat up and melt any snow that may be on the roof.

That melted snow will then flow down the roof, freezing again as it reaches the edge, as the temperature outside is below freezing while the roofline is colder than other parts of your roof. This chunk of ice grows larger and larger as more ice and snow accumulate on top. This poses a damage risk to your roof, gutters, attic, and foundation.

The Top Causes of Ice Dams

From poor roof design to external heat sources, there are many things that can lead to the formation of ice dams.

1. External heat sources: Skylights, chimneys, and other heat sources can cause snow to melt and form ice dams.
2. Temperature Changes: Ice dams form when there is a repeated cycle of warm days followed by below-freezing nights.
3. Clogged gutters: When your gutters are clogged with debris, melting snow can’t drain properly and ice dams form.
4. Poor roof design: Steep pitched roofs or those that haven’t been properly sealed are more prone to ice dams.

Removal of Ice Dams

The best and safest way to remove ice dams is to hire a professional roofer in Oakland County who is skilled in ice dam removal. However, there are other ways in which homeowners can potentially remove ice dams on their own.

• Roof Rakes: This tool has a long handle and blade that can scrape snow and ice off your roof. This method is suitable for small amounts, and caution is recommended. You could damage the roof if you’re not careful, as the blades can scratch, break, or cut the shingles, welcoming the intrusion of water.
• Homemade Ice Remedies: There are many ice-melting products you could try, such as calcium chloride and potassium chloride. They lower water’s freezing point, thus causing the ice to melt and then flow off the roof.
• Heat Cables: You can attach heating wires or blankets to the shingles, gutters, or roofline to melt snow and ice dams.
• Steam Machine: This generates jets of hot vapor that can melt the ice dam.

How to Prevent Ice Dams

Regular maintenance and timely roof repairs help to prevent ice dams. Here’s what you can do.

1. Insulate Your Attic Correctly: Proper insulation in your attic stops warm air from escaping via the roof and prevents the snow from melting and refreezing.
2. Ventilate the Attic: Ventilation ensures you have the right amount of air circulation in your attic. Roof vents won’t allow heat and moisture to build up that could escape to the exterior of the roof. A balance of ridge vents and soffit vents is recommended.
3. Keep Your Gutters Clean: Clogged gutters and downspouts cause pooling on your roof, which then leads to ice dams. Clean out your gutters at least twice a year (spring and fall) to ensure backups don’t happen

Get Your Free No Obligation Roofing Quote From McLean Today

We are your local source for ice dam removal services as well as ice and snow removal, water removal, and weatherproofing. Protect your property this winter and book your free, no obligation estimate on ice dam removal services in Troy MI online or call us at (248) 524-1111.