You might be scratching your head, wondering why with the triple-digit temps we've been having recently that we're talking about preventing ice dams.  After all, the cold part of another Minnesota winter is probably at least five months off, right?

Well yes, but here in Minnesota we've been known to get some severe snowstorms with major snowfalls in October, so we might be talking about less than 3 months. That means you're running out of time to get your roof ready to survive another Twin Cities winter!  Just take a look at the solid blocks of ice and icicles in this photo. While the look of it may cool you off a bit, think back to what your home looks like in the winter.  If this happens at your house, now is the perfect time to take steps to prevent those ice dams from forming.

We know that there are those who love the look of icicles on a roof edge in the winter.  Makes your home look like an old Currier & Ives print, right?  Maybe they look calendar-like, but those icicles and the ice dams they dangle from present real threats to personal safety.  Each winter people end up in the emergency room with injuries from icicles and chunks of ice falling on them as they've walked underneath. But personal injury isn't the only issue.  That ice means there is damage that's happening (or has already happened) to your roof, and it also can indicate you're wasting energy heating a space that should be cold. If your attic or space under your roof is warm in the winter, not only is that condition fostering ice dam development but also leading to issues like mold and rot and eventually water leaks that can cause problems with your ceilings.  For specifics, check out this article, "Why Ice Dams Spell Danger for Minneapolis Homes."

Don't wait for the cold weather to set in before you act to prevent this from happening at your home this winter.  This is the best time of year to do it.  Oh, and there's a side benefit as well.  Some of the steps we'll take will actually result in energy savings right now, keeping your home cooler this summer!

Quarve Contracting, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota roofing contractor.  One of our services is ice dam prevention.  Contact us today to find out more.