It is our job to talk about ice dams. After all, we have built our business as an ice dam removal company! We are passionate about what we do and why. We often think everyone knows what ice dams are about and why they can be so harmful. Yet many people, especially those new to the colder areas, are unfamiliar with ice dams and the issues they cause. No matter the time of year, it is always timely to discuss the real dangers of ice dams.

The Definition

An ice dam is a dam made of ice. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it is a little more complicated than that. These dams do not occur in nature and block water from leaving a river or canal. Rather, they occur on your roof. Ice forms dams in the valleys of your roof (or sometimes gutters) and prevents water from properly draining from your roof. As a result, water can seep into the home, causing serious damage.

The Real Dangers

Ice dam damage can include leaks in your home, as a result of water looking for an escape route. People who have never experienced this may not understand the severity of the situation. This is a real danger that is much more common than people realize. Because this type of water damage could have been prevented, many insurance companies refuse to cover the costs of repairs.
You may see stories in the news from time to time that are the result of ice dam damage. Most times, these horror stories occur long after the period during which the home could have been saved. This is because the home or business owner chose to ignore the problem. Recently, there were several commercial property collapses across the country due to the weight of ice and water on the top of the property. Luckily, they were vacant. Could you imagine if your home’s roof collapsed while you and your family were inside?
The other serious issue is the ice itself. Ice dams often form icicles on the edges of the gutter or roof. While pretty to look at, icicles are a true hazard to the wellbeing of other people and property. Just a few weeks ago, a falling icicle from a larger building pierced the roof of the Rhode Island Convention Center.  Imagine if that had been your home or your child walking by! There have been stories of severe property damage and even death caused by icicles falling once the ice finally melted. This is often on top of the fact that your home has already experienced severe water damage.
Ice dams are not something to be taken lightly or ignored. They cause serious damage and can affect your quality of life, your wallet, and your home. It is important to properly remove them as soon as they have formed and to use proper measures to prevent them from forming at all. To learn more about how to care for your ice dams, call the experts at RTD Ice Dam Removal at (651) 699-3504.

We often discuss the hidden cost of ice dams. These costs include the damage to your roof, gutters, and walls. They also include potential medical bills and lawsuits. If left untreated, the hidden costs of ice dams is quite high. They can cost tens of thousands of dollars or more if litigation becomes an issue. Anyone who has been following us for some time has learned this, as we have covered this subject at great lengths. However, what is the cost to actually remove the ice dam? What does the cost encompass? How do you know if you have a reputable company rather than just the cheapest one? These questions need to be addressed to help you choose the best company for your ice dam removal.
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Ice dams form when the weather is cold, precipitation occurs, and the runoff liquid has no escape from a rooftop. These occurrences do not discriminate between single family homes, businesses, and townhomes or condos. The difference is not if these types of issues can and will occur – they can and will. The true difference is who is going to pay to remove them when they occur or prevent them from occurring in the first place. In a traditional home or business, there is one person responsible, the property owner. However, in a townhome or condo, the issue falls in the hands of the association. This article will explore why this is an issue for the association and how the association can be proactive to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place.
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Cleaning your gutters is a chore most people wish never existed. It involves climbing a ladder and putting your hands into the gutters, only to find a mushy pile of leaves, branches, and goo (likely rainwater mixed with dirt and other earth elements). As fall gets closer to winter, cleaning up this cold mass of goo and leaves can be both frigid and messy. However, cleaning your gutters is not done for aesthetic purposes. It actually is crucial for maintenance throughout the entire year, especially in the winter.
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