As residents of the greater Chicagoland area, we are no strangers to humid, hot summers and blisteringly cold winters. Oftentimes bitter winters bring with them troubles that homeowners are not prepared for. One such trouble is ice damming. At Property Specialists, Inc. we always want to make sure we are providing our communities with the most accurate information for every problem and to do so we defer to the experts in the industry. Giertsen Company is at the forefront of repair and restoration services and Tony DeNovo was able to provide insight on what exactly ice dams are and how to prevent them.

Q: What is an ice dam?

A: An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a structure and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.

Q: How can you safely remove an ice dam?

A: One way to remove an ice dam is to melt it using calcium chloride ice melt.

Q: How can you prevent ice damming?

A: Using a roof rake, remove snow 3-4 feet from the edge of your roof, being careful not to damage the roof covering or to allow snow to build up around walking paths or to block emergency exits.

For information on all things related to restoration services and exterior construction we know we can look to Giertsen Company for answers and solutions.

(888)-670-1918 | giertsenco.com