Fargo Roof Raking, Ice Dam Removal, and Heat Tape Services

Cold Weather Experts Proudly Serving Eastern North Dakota to Northwestern Minnesota

While a snow-covered home may look nice, unchecked accumulation of snow and ice on a roof can lead to significant damage and potential structural failures if not properly managed. For example, the sheer weight of heavy snowfall can strain the structural integrity of a roof, especially in older homes or those not designed to withstand such loads. The cycle of thawing and refreezing ice can also create ice dams along the roof's edge, preventing melted snow from properly draining. This water can then seep underneath roof shingles or tiles, leading to leaks, insulation damage, and in severe cases, mold and rot within the home’s interior. 

At Seamless Pro, our Fargo roof raking, ice dam removal, and heat tape services are designed to help protect your home from the worst consequences of winter weather. Our professionals know what unmanaged snow and ice can do and are ready to use proven tools and techniques to keep your roof in great shape. 

No amount of ice or snow is too much for our team to handle! Call (701) 773-4768 or contact us online to request a free inspection and estimate today.

What Is Roof Raking and When Is It Necessary?

Roof raking is a preventative maintenance practice designed to reduce the risks associated with heavy snowfall on roofs. This process involves the use of a specially designed rake with a long, extendable handle, which allows one of our professionals to remove snow from your roof without the need to climb onto it. By carefully pulling the snow off the roof from the ground, we can prevent the accumulation of heavy snow that leads to structural strain and ice dam formation. 

You should schedule roof shaking if:

• Your roof received six inches of snow or more. Ice dams could begin to form at this depth. 
• Your roof received two feet of snow or more after a storm. In these scenarios, you should not wait to request our Fargo roof raking, ice dam removal, and heat tape services. Your roof may not be able to hold this much snow, as wet snow and ice are heavy and can exert dangerous amounts of pressure. 
• Snow has settled on a flat roof. Flat roofs – like those on porches and sunrooms – are more prone to damage and collapse, as they do not clear as quickly as a pitched roof. 

Putting off roof raking can lead to a domino effect of structural issues and avoidable repairs. The most immediate consequence is the undue stress placed on the roof by the excessive weight of the snow. This can cause the roof to sag or, in extreme cases, collapse, posing a significant danger to the occupants below and potentially leading to costly structural repairs. Additionally, the buildup of ice at the roof's edges creates ice dams, which prevent melted snow from draining off the roof. The cumulative effects of these problems can significantly shorten the lifespan of your roof, leading to earlier-than-expected replacements and complicating insurance claims related to weather damage.

What Is an Ice Dam?

After a heavy snowfall, snow begins to melt on your roof because of hot air rising. However, before this melted snow and ice reaches your gutters or the edges of your roof, it can quickly refreeze at the eaves, creating an ice dam. 

Ice dams trigger blockages that prevent snow higher on the roof from getting to your gutters. Ice dams can then cause standing water to get stuck on your roof and get below the shingles. This standing water can lead to leaks and damage to both your roof as well as areas inside your home. Specifically, water intrusion can damage your ceilings, walls, and insulation, leading to mildew and mold growth.

We Can Safely Remove Ice Dams!

If you have water leaking into your home due to ice dams, it’s important to resolve the situation as quickly as possible to prevent more damage from occurring. At Seamless Pro, we can remove ice dams from your home with the Arctic Steamer ice dam solution.

The Arctic Steamer uses high temperatures and low pressure to safely remove ice from your roof. The use of steam is recommended because the low pressure will not harm the roofing materials. Hot water pressure washers can damage your shingles, meaning they are more appropriate for use on sidewalks and driveways. The Arctic Steamer operates at the optimal temperature of 290 degrees, which leads to less water runoff and faster ice removal. 

Leakage from ice dams is a time-sensitive problem, and we can usually perform your ice dam removal within 24 hours. Removal time depends on several factors, including the amount of ice, but the average project takes about 2 to 4 hours.

How Heat Tape Prevents Ice Dams

Heat tape, also known as heat cables or roof de-icing cables, can help prevent the formation of ice dams. It consists of a resistant electrical wire that, when installed along the edges of a roof, gutters, and downspouts, provides enough warmth to prevent snow and ice from solidifying. This method does not raise the overall temperature of the roof but instead creates paths along the roof's edge and through ice dams that allow melting water from the snow above to escape instead of backing up into your home.

One key advantage of heat tape is its ability to be turned on and off as needed based on weather conditions. This flexibility reduces the potential for unnecessary energy consumption. Additionally, modern heat tape systems come with built-in thermostats that automatically adjust to ambient temperatures, further enhancing their efficiency and ease of use.

Proper heat tape installation is crucial to avoid potential fire hazards or damage to your roof. Enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your system is set up safely and effectively by choosing our Fargo roof raking, ice dam removal, and heat tape services. 

If you are constantly dealing with ice dams, we urge you to call (701) 773-4768 or contact us online! Emergency 24/7 service is available.