Ice Dams in Mankato and Owatonna

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

Place a fan to slow leaks and minimize water damage from ice dams.

Last winter many of our community members witnessed firsthand the damage that ice dams cause. Because of this, folks have been asking us for advice on preventing or minimizing damage caused by ice dams this year. 

Ice dams are caused by warm air escaping into your attic and heating up your roof, so one of the best things you can do to prevent ice dams from forming is adding insulation between your home and your attic. If there is no heat to melt the snow atop your roof, it will not refreeze and create an ice dam as it reaches your gutters. Another way to prevent this is by raking the snow off of your roof. If you choose to do this, ensure you have a proper roof rake that will not damage your shingles, and make sure to keep safety in mind. Be mindful as the snow and ice falls from your roof, and always stay on the ground when removing snow from your roof.

Preparing for ice dams and continually working towards keeping them off of your home is always best, but we all know that the snow here can sometimes pile up faster than you can say "oof-da." If you find yourself suddenly having water damage from ice dams, the first thing you should do is call SERVPRO of Mankato / Owatonna at 507-200-3700. As you wait for help to arrive, removing wet materials from the affected area and placing fans to slow leaks can help minimize damage and possibly save you money if you are not using insurance (most homeowners insurance will cover water damage caused by ice dams). One other trick you can try is to fill a sock with ice melt and place it on the ice dam to melt a passage that will allow the water to drain off of your roof. Use this trick instead of putting rock salt or ice melt directly on your roof as this can cause damage to your shingles.