by United Roofing MN | Feb 21, 2011
Winter Storm Socks The Midwest Again! Prevent Roof Damage From Roof Snow and Ice Dams A winter storm that blew through the upper Midwest again on Feb. 20, 2011, left Minnesota homeowners with MORE snow on their roofs. The National Weather Service said up to 13 inches had fallen in the Twin Cities by Sunday night and light snow and freezing drizzle continued into Monday morning. The storm brought with it winds of 15 to 30 mph. In the wake of these monster snow falls it is important to keep an eye on your roof as these extreme amounts of snow can be troublesome, and ice dams can begin to form as the snow accumulates. An ice dam is formed on a slanted roof when heat from the attic causes snow on the roof to melt. This water flows down the roof and then freezes when it reaches the edge of the roof where it comes in contact with the colder air. This keeps additional run off from draining off of the roof. The water then builds up behind the ice dam where it can seep under shingles and into the house. How to Spot an Ice Dam The tell tale sign of an ice dam is a lot of icicles or a large icicle hanging from the roof. You might also find ice in your gutters or downspouts, which will cause water to back up behind it and into the house. What Causes an Ice Dam? Warm roofs likely the cause of ice dams. Ice dams are caused by heat escaping through your roof and melting the snow sitting on the roof. This...
by United Roofing MN | Feb 21, 2011
Minnesota Ice Dam Removal | Minneapolis MN Roofing Contractors Dealing With Ice Dams On Roofs Living in Minnesota comes with plenty of perks – the beautiful lakes, the laid back atmosphere and the stunning cultural scene to name a few. However, Minnesota also sees it fair share of cold winters which can negatively impact your roof and your home. Ice damage is one of the most common concerns and insurance complaints for residents across Minnesota. If you are worried about ice buildup or are dealing with ice damage, then now is the time to contact a Minnesota ice damage removal expert. Ice Dam build up causes heavy snow on the roof that needs to be removed. In some instances, ice damage will be covered under your insurance plan. One of the most common problems concerning ice damage is ice dams. Ice dams most often occur on sloping roofs during the cold winters in Minnesota. Ice dams occur when the temperature in your attic is above freezing and causes snow on the roof to melt and run down the sloping roof. When the snowmelt runs down the roof and hits the colder eaves, it refreezes. If this cycle repeats over several days, the freezing snowmelt builds up and forms a dam of ice, behind which water ponds. The ponding water can back up under the roof covering and leak into the attic or along exterior walls. If you are facing ice dams, then you could be looking at major problems in your entire home. No one wants to worry about a leaking roof, a wet attic or water damage throughout the...
by United Roofing MN | Feb 8, 2011
Minneapolis Ice Dam Removal | Ice Dam Removal MN Snow is piling up on buildings and homes across the state Ice dams are as common to Minnesota winters as hockey and ice fishing but for Minnesota property owners this is shaping up as a really bad catastrophe year. Winter this year in the Midwest has been brutal! It has taken a toll on many roofs with ice dams. Homeowners that have attempted to remove them by themselves know all too well that it is a precarious operation in many instances. Unless you can do it safely, don’t jeopardize your well-being by trying to remove it yourself; here, there’s no shame in leaving this dangerous work to a professional with the appropriate experience and equipment. Let the trained roofing professionals safely eliminate snow and ice from your roof using proper techniques to help prevent leaks caused by snow build up and ice dams using special shovels for snow and steam to melt away ice to insure no damage is done to your...