After You're Done Shoveling, Start Raking!—Ice Dams are Preventable!

With the 16 plus inches of snow we were blessed with in Anoka County this past weekend (and even more in Washington County to the south and east) it looks like we are in for a good old fashion Minnesota winter. Heading to grandmother’s house this holiday, will take us all over lots and lots of white and drifted snow.

The snow is pretty for photos and fun for snowmobilers, skiers, boarders and sledders but not so great for our houses. With accumulated snow well into the foot range already, there is another necessary chore to add to the list to avoid homeowner headaches that come with the snow melt. We have to remove the snow from our roofs!

Though a shingled roof won’t pop like the Metrodome did over the weekend (CLICK HERE to View), ceilings have been known to become waterlogged and collapse under the stress of too much snow and ice dams.

Avoid ice dams and rake that roof! Yep pull that funny looking backwards shovel with the extension pole out of the garage and carefully pull off the snow. Ignoring the problem could cost thousands of dollars to repair the damage to roof or interior due to ice and water when that foot of snow starts the freeze/thaw cycle over the next few months!

So how does a roof rake work? Carefully raise the rake over the edge of the roof as far back as the rake will reach and pull down the snow. Be certain to wear a hat, boots and gloves as most of the snow WILL land very close to you….if not right on your head! It’s not hard to do if the snow is fluffy. Even a novice like me can handle a roof rake.

Don’t have a roof rake? This is the year to buy one! It’s only a $20-30 investment and the pole is in two sections for storage. Not a do-it-yourselfer? Or have a two story home where the rake won’t reach? Call in a professional to remove the snow. This is not the year to ignore the snow and hope it won’t be a problem. It looks like we are in for a long snow-filled winter so take action now. Ice dams are preventable!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm

Speechless Sunday (Almost)--Serious Icicles!

I took this photo this week of a home in North St. Paul, Minnesota. Sadly, it wasn't the only home in the area with serious ice dams and scary icicles. It seemed every other home was decorated with these seasonal visitors. While pretty in some respects, they are dangerous....and not just to someone walking underneath either.
As a REALTOR® in the Twin Cities north metro, I have often see the damage that ice dams and icicles cause to homes. Icicles are often indicators of a serious threat to the roof and interior of your home. They are often the byproduct of ice dams that weaken your roof and can cause water damage inside your home. So if you have icicles decorating the eaves of your home, don't ignore them. Call a roofer and have them evaluated and removed as soon as possible.

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Winter Hits the Twin Cities--Finally! Important Tips to Protect Your Home!

We have definitely had a wimpy winter by Minnesota standards. But this weekend we are making up for it big time!

Until yesterday, the Twin Cities snow fall total for the season was somewhere around a foot. Since Friday evening and through tonight (Sunday) this whopper of a storm will deliver twice what we have seen all year.

Here are a few reminders of what you should do to protect your home from the accumulated heavy snow:


Get out the snow rake.

A snow rake is like an inverted shovel that is used to rake or pull snow from your the edge of your roof while standing on the ground. The downwind side of your home could have drifts twice as high as the recorded snowfall. Left to melt on its own, the snow can refreeze and cause ice dams. (Icicles are often a sign of this problem.) As an ice dam grows, it will prevent new melt from draining off the roof. This water can be forced under the roofing material and enter your walls or attic. Prevent the problem before it happens with the snow rake it is much safer than climbing on the roof to shovel.

If the edge of your roof is too high to reach with a snow rake or the icicles are already forming, consult a professional as to the best method to clear. It is imperative to address the situation immediately as water damage can cause significant interior damage and eventually mold. The cost to repair at this stage can be astronomical.

Shovel and Clear Around Home.

Dig out any window wells that have filled with snow as well as any stairwell that leads to a lower level. If left uncleared, the snow could cause basement flooding as it melts. Also remember to clear a path to and around your gas meter.

Obviously, this is important so that your meter reader can have access for a correct reading. But less obvious is the risk of a gas leak from damage to the meter by heavy snow. As a precaution, when you clear around the meter, use your hands, not a shovel.