What Minnesota Homeowners Should Do About Ice Dams This Winter ❄️

Ice dams are one of the most common — and costly — winter roofing issues for homeowners across Minnesota. When snow melts off your roof and refreezes near the eaves, it can trap water, force it under shingles, and lead to leaks, mold, and insulation damage.

Here’s what you need to know about identifying, preventing, and dealing with ice dams before they damage your home.

What Is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam forms when warm air from your attic melts the underside of rooftop snow. That melted water runs down toward the edge of the roof, where it refreezes due to colder eaves. As this cycle repeats, a barrier of ice builds up and traps water behind it.

 Signs You May Have an Ice Dam

• Icicles hanging from the edges of your roof or gutters

• Water stains on your ceilings or walls

• Uneven snow melt patterns on your roof

• Visible ice buildup along the eaves or in gutters

What You Can Do About It

1. Safely Remove Snow from Your Roof

Using a roof rake (while standing on the ground), carefully remove snow from the first 3–4 feet of your roof after each snowfall. This helps reduce the amount of melting and refreezing that leads to ice dams.

2. Never Use Salt or Sharp Tools

Avoid damaging your shingles. Don’t chip away at ice dams with a shovel or use rock salt — these can cause long-term roof and gutter damage.

3. Improve Your Attic Insulation & Ventilation

Long-term ice dam prevention starts inside. Make sure your attic is well-insulated and properly ventilated to keep roof temperatures consistent.

4. Call a Professional

If you notice water intrusion or large ice buildup, call a trusted local contractor like Craftsman Construction Services. We can safely assess the damage, remove ice dams, and repair any water-related issues before they get worse.

Need Help With Ice Dams or Roof Leaks?

At Craftsman Construction Services, we’ve been helping Minnesota homeowners handle harsh winters for over 30 years. Whether it’s prevention, emergency repairs, or storm damage restoration, we’re ready to help protect your home.

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