When Do Ice Dams Form in Hudson and Eau Claire, Wisconsin?

Residents of Western Wisconsin, Hudson, and Eau Claire frequently ask when it is the prime time for ice dams to form. Once old man winter makes his entrance, many Western Wisconsin Hudson and Eau Claire homeowners prepare their homes for the season and then take a break from the “honey-do” list. Although a vacation from lawn and home maintenance is nice, do not forget to keep tabs on the condition of your roof and gutters as the winter season progresses. Icicles hanging off of your roofline can be beautiful, but they can also signal an ice dam has formed. This is a sign you should never ignore, contact the Western Wisconsin, Hudson, and Eau Claire Squeegee Squad today to repair your ice dam before it causes further damage to your home. 

Schedule Your Ice Dam Removal Appointment Today!

What are Ice Dams?

As snow, sleet, and ice build-up on your roof and gutters, ice dams will form, especially when gutters are full of leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other common debris.  In that case, full gutters can easily facilitate ice formation and impede runoff water from reaching its destination.  Clogged gutter downspouts allow melting snow to accumulate and refreeze, causing icicles to hang from the frozen gutters. Poor ventilation and temperature control in attics will also cause homes to be prone to ice dams.  Ice dams occur when warm air in the attic contributes to melt snow on the roof.  When the water is blocked by ice, it pools and eventually travels beneath the shingles. Residential and commercial properties in Western Wisconsin, Hudson, and Eau Claire are at risk for the possibility of problems with these ice formations as ice dams form when the melted snow refreezes at the roofline and temperatures drop.   After a while, the runoff water cannot penetrate the ice dam, so it finds other places to go, like into your attic, walls, and ceilings. Ice dams can result in a host of additional moisture and leakage problems that no homeowner wants to deal with. 

 How do I prevent Ice Dams?

The best way to prevent the formation of ice dams is through routine maintenance and gutter cleaning.  When gutters are cleaned and well-maintained, homeowners can be assured that winter run-off will not clog and refreeze when temperatures fluctuate.  Having a well-insulated attic will also reduce the risk of ice dams as one of the primary causes of ice dams are poorly insulated attics and roofs.  As warm air escapes into your attic through the ceiling, the roof’s temperature will exceed outdoor air temperatures causing accumulation of ice where the gutters intersect with the roofline.  By checking your attic ventilation system to ensure it is properly functioning, you can reduce the risk of ice dams.  Properly functioning ventilation systems allow warm air to escape from raising roof temperatures and decrease the likelihood of problems with runoff melting ice and snow.  Proper airflow under the eaves of the soffit area along the underside of the roof and throughout roof vents along with proper roof temperatures are necessary to minimize the freeze/thaw cycle on your roof. 

After heavy snowstorms, routine roof snow removal is another way to keep homes in Western Wisconsin, Hudson, and Eau Claire clear of problematic ice dams. Roof rakes are long-handled devices used to pull snow off the roof, keeping heavy loads of snow from your roof, reducing the chances for both ice dam formation and roof failure from the weight of snow. Roof snow removal can be dangerous and is best provided by an experienced professional.

When do Ice dams form?

The winter season eventually takes its toll on residential homes and commercial properties in Western Wisconsin, Hudson, and Eau Claire.  As March rolls in, the climate is prone to unpredictable weather and fluctuating temperatures that contribute to the formulation of problematic ice dams and water intrusion as the ice melts.  You might be tempted to grab a ladder and check it out for yourself, which could be dangerous for both you and your property.  The best solution is to call a professional to inspect your roof.

Squeegee Squad of Western Wisconsin, Hudson, and Eau Claire care about your home and helping you to avoid ice dams and costly home repairs. It has the knowledge, tools, and experience to safely remove the ice and snow from your roof, preventing any of the dangers and damages that can come from trying to do it yourself. Roof snow removal and ice dam removal are handled by our expert staff, providing you with safety, security, and peace of mind throughout the winter season. Our ice dam removal crews are trained, licensed, and insured, so we mitigate the risk and free up your day!  Contact us today for a free ice dam consultation and roof evaluation! 

Schedule Your Ice Dam Removal Appointment Today!