Protecting Your Home During Winter with Heat Tape and Snow Guards

What keeps you and your home safe from falling snow and damaging ice dams? If you have problems with ice and ice dams falling from your roof, you know it can be a threat not just to your home but to your family, pets and visitors. If you live in Teller County, ice dams can be a more frequent problem. Here’s how you can prevent your home from sustaining weather-related damage this winter. 

What are ice dams? Ice dams are ridges of ice that form near the eaves of a roof and prevent melting snow from running off the roof properly. Ice dams are formed when heat builds up in the attic and warms the roof near the eaves, causing snow to melt and refreeze at the edges. This leads to ice accumulation at the eaves, forming a dam holding meltwater behind it, which eventually runs beneath the shingles and into the house in the form of a roof leak.

Can ice dams be fixed with heat tape? Heat tape can prevent damage caused by ice dams and excessive snow buildup. Heat tape installation usually requires the help of an electrician to install an electrical outlet around the edge of your roof or soffit. This way, you can avoid using an extension cord to power the heat tape. It is installed around your roof in a zig-zag pattern and can either be activated by a switch or thermostat. Heat tape protects your roof by stopping ice dams from forming, allowing ice and snow to melt and run off of your roof as intended.  

Can ice dams be fixed with snow guards? Snow guards can be especially useful within Teller County. Homes in areas like Divide and Woodland Park often see heavy snow accumulation which can go through numerous freeze and thaw cycles before completely melting off.  Snow guards are devices designed to create friction, preventing snow and sheets of ice from sliding off your roof. They can keep the area around your home safe for pedestrians during winter by creating a barrier that prevents large amounts of snow from sliding off of the roof randomly. Additionally, snow guards protect your roof from winter weather damage. Occasionally, ice buildup in the form of an ice dam can become so heavy that when it falls, it can cause shingles or even gutters to come down with it. Having a snow guard system in place can prevent this from happening. Snow guards can be installed on any type of roof; however, they are most common on metal roofs.

Winter weather can present hazards and become destructive to your home. If you have a metal roof or your roof is prone to frequent ice sheet or snow buildup, consider investing in snow guards. This can help you protect yourself and any pedestrians that walk around your home from heavy snow or ice falloff. Snow guards can also ensure that your roof and gutter system will remain intact throughout winter. Additionally, heat tape can be beneficial in preventing the damaging effects of ice dams, such as roof leaks, shingle breakage, and interior water damage. If you are interested in exploring the options of heat tape or a snow guard system, be sure to give us a call at 719-487-7663 or contact us online.