MINNEAPOLIS THERMAL ICE DAM INSPECTION

So here we are again. Ice Dam season! I have been busy with this problem, not only at normal home inspections, but also with individual requests for Thermal Infrared home inspections to help determine the causes and effects of the ice dams on peoples homes. This year has been particularly bad for ice dams due to the constant freeze thaw cycles we are experiencing. Does this mean you just have to live with them, NO!
I wrote a blog already on how ice dams form and some things to do to prevent them. So how do you know what exactly to do? That is where the use of the Thermal Infrared camera comes into play. This technology allows me to see things such as water that is hidden in behind the wall that you do not see because it is not contacting or staining the drywall. I add to this a moisture meter to help determine the level of moisture we are seeing. Again, some of the most common causes for ice dams is that there is a higher than normal amount of heat making its way into the attic. Add to this a lack of good ventilation and you have a recipe for ice dams. The attic should be maintaining a very close temperature relationship to the exterior outside temperature. By properly ventilating the attic you are allowing the cold air to circulate and remove any heat in the attic keeping what snow is on the roof at a cold enough temperature to not melt. If the attic is properly insulated the interior home heat does does not make its way to the attic in large amounts and should not increase the likelihood of snow melting down to the colder lower soffit edges of the roof where it refreezes. The Thermal Infrared home inspection allows us to see areas of heat that may be entering the attic from the interior of the home or ducts in some attics that may not be properly insulated. If you would like to find out more or schedule an inspection, call us @ 612-919-3844 or visit our website http://www.7countyhomeinspection.com.
Be sure to clear at least the first 3 feet of your roofs edge around your home to help prevent blockage of the water flow. Also, steam is the absolute best way to remove ice dams.