Tips To Help Prevent Ice Dams On Your Roof

One of the most common reasons why a roofing contractor is called out to homes during the winter months is because an ice dam has formed. An ice dam is caused by water that has frozen on the roof, putting a lot of weight and pressure on the roof. This can cause roof damage or can even cause a roof to cave inward. As such, ice dams must be carefully removed if they start to form. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of an ice dam forming. Here are a few tips to help prevent ice dams from forming on your roof.  

Get Your Gutters Cleaned Before Winter Hits

One of the best tips for preventing ice dams is to get your gutters cleaned prior to winter. Ice dams can start in clogged gutters. When the gutters are clogged, water can freeze in the gutter trough. Then, as water falls or snow melts from the roof, it can freeze since it cannot enter the gutter trough. From there, ice continues accumulating until an ice dam has formed on the roof. 

Have Your Roof Inspected in the Fall

Another tip that can help to prevent an ice dam from forming on your roof is to have a roofing contractor inspect your roof during the fall months. During a roof inspection, a roofer will ensure the slope of your roof is good and that there is no damage that may impede water or snow from falling from your roof. This can be vital to preventing sitting water, which can also cause an ice dam. 

Invest in a Snow Rake

One of the lesser-known tips for preventing an ice dam is to invest in a snow rake. When it snows, you can gently rake the snow off of your roof. This helps to remove snow from your roof so that it does not freeze on your roof, causing an ice dam. 

Look Into Roof Insulation or De-Icing Products

Lastly, ask your roofing contractor about products such as roof insulation or de-icing products, such as heated cables. Both of these products help to keep your roof warm, which helps to prevent ice dams from forming. 

Ice dams can cause a lot of damage to your roof. Fortunately, there are steps that you and your roofing contractor can take that can minimize the chances of an ice dam forming. If you believe your roof is susceptible to ice dams, reach out to a roofing contractor to talk about the options available to you for preventing ice dams from forming on your roof. 

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Roofers Keep You Safe

If you were asked to list professions that focus on safety, which ones would come to mind first? Most people would name police officers, firefighters, and perhaps forest rangers. But what about roofers? They may not seem like the most likely of answers, but think about it. Roofers put roofs on your home, and roofs definitely keep you safe. Your roof protects you from storms. It protects you from tree branches. It even protects you from the scorching hot rays of the summer sun! So, there you have it — roofers keep you safe! We are excited to write more about roofers on this blog.

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