Ice Dams Plague Homeowners, ‘They’re Starting to Get Bad’

Drive down any neighborhood in Robbinsdale and you’ll likely notice icicles dangling off the roofs of homes. Our recent rollercoaster weather is to blame.

“It got cold, warm, cold, and now it’s really warm,” said Greg Platzer, owner of Totally Guaranteed Painting Company.

Besides painting, Platzer removes ice dams. He says business has really picked up in the last few days.

“I’ve got five ice dams to look at this afternoon,” he said.

Greg  Platzer uses a special steamer to remove ice dams from a home in Robbinsdale.

Ice dams form when warm air escapes from attics and melts snow piled on roofs. That melted snow can refreeze leading to large masses of ice that can damage shingles. When that ice thaws, it can potentially cause water damage inside your home.

To remove ice dams, Platzer uses a special steamer to break up the ice along the edge of a roof.

“You just cut it like butter,” he said.

There are some things you can do to avoid dealing with ice dams, according to tips provided by the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Those include adding insulation to prevent heat escaping the attic or using a roof rake to remove snow buildup.

Calling a professional is another option. However, removing ice dams can be expensive. Some companies charge $350 and up per hour to steam a roof, and the job can take anywhere from 4 to six hours to complete, depending on the roof size.

Also See: Record Breaker: 14.8” Largest January Snowstorm in Northwest Suburbs

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