Frozen gutters, icicles hanging from the roof, and giant ice dams - these pesky winter formations are something that many of us in Minnesota and Wisconsin come to expect during the winter months. But how do these ice build-ups form, and once they become problematic, how can you fix them? DBS is your local expert in whole-home energy and can help prevent ice dams while increasing your home comfort. 

What are Ice Dams? 

Ice dams occur when snow is present on your roof. Warm air from the attic heats your roof, causing the snow to melt and travel downwards towards your gutters or roof stop. From there it refreezes, creating a large build-up of ice. This happens most commonly as a result of improper attic insulation, poor attic ventilation, and sometimes even clogged gutters.

A cubic foot of ice weighs 5 times as much as a cubic foot of snow. Small ice dams weigh a few hundred pounds, but large ice formations can weigh thousands of pounds. That extra mass is a threat to your roof's structure, gutters, and shingles. Not to mention ice dams pose a serious threat of water damage as they melt. 

How do I get rid of Ice Dams?

Unfortunately, leaning out of a window to break icicles off of your roof with a broom handle isn’t a great idea! It’s dangerous, those ice formations are heavy, and chipping ice can damage your roof and shingles. Some homeowners hire a steaming service to manually remove their ice dams. While this may eliminate the physical ice dam, it's not solving the bigger issue. Instead, it's important to target the source of heat loss inside your home's attic.

Proper Attic R-Value

If your attic has insulation with a sufficient R-value, you’re off to a good start. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends between R-49 and R-60 of attic insulation in Duluth, Superior, Two Harbors, and other areas. Where we live, having insufficient attic insulation is like walking around in a snowstorm wearing only a t-shirt... it’s just not going to provide the protection you need. 

When one of our Dr. Energy Saver experts visits your home, they will take thorough measurements using heat-seeking technology to determine how heated air travels through your attic. From there, they will craft a plan on how to provide a radiant barrier that is sufficient for your Northland home or cabin. 

Ice Dam Solutions

Our Dr. Energy Saver products include spray foam insulation, cellulose blown-in insulation, and rigid foam insulation. Combined with proper air-sealing to prevent leaking of warm air from your home, our insulation solutions will not only prevent ice dams, but you will also see increased savings in your energy bills, upwards of 20%.

Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation estimate with our home-energy Design Specialists.