Ice Dam Melting
Living in North Iowa, homeowners should be aware of the damaging effects of ice dams. Ice dams form in the valleys between dormers and rooftops as well as in gutters. Water trapped in clogged gutters freezes and begins to build up above the gutters, often times travelling up valleys to the top of the roof. When the snow melts and refreezes under the shingles, leaks into the house are formed. Severe water damage occurs when fair weather does come and the entire ice dam melts, leaking large amounts of runoff into the interior structure of the building.
To help prevent ice dams from forming, we recommend insulating your attic and having us clean your gutters in the fall. Even with our best efforts, however, some homes are simply prone to ice dam formation, in which case we offer an environmentally friendly solution. We begin by removing snow from the roof on which the dam is forming, either with a roof rake or by ascending with a shovel. While one worker is shoveling snow from the rooftop, another is operating a heated sprayer with nothing more than steaming hot water to gently melt the ice without damaging shingles or gutter guards.
