"Anyone Know a Good Ice Dam Removal Company?"

In Demand: Twin Cities Ice Dam Contractors

April showers bring May flowers. --Proverb

December blizzards bring January ice dams. --Ross Kaplan

Judging by my email inbox, the Twin Cities' potentially record-setting December snowfall has been a boon for contractors specializing in ice dam removal.

If you aren't familiar with the phenomenon, ice dams occur when snow lower down on a roof -- typically over the eaves -- melts and refreezes, causing the water from melting snow higher up on the roof to back up under the roof shingles.

The result can be very expensive leaking and roof damage.

The solution is to get a professional contractor (vs. yourself, on a ladder) to remove the ice dam, then add insulation to prevent a recurrence.

The sooner, the better . . . .

Bees, Bats & Ants (Oh, My!)

Unwanted Tenants

Most people like to live in a quiet, undisturbed dwelling where they're afforded a modicum of privacy.

It turns out, so do critters.

In the course of showing any number of vacant properties this Summer, my Buyers and I have encountered (so far): wasp nests; bats (or evidence thereof); ant colonies; and the occasional squirrel's nest in (or under) the roof.

None of those things are good for a home's resale value -- or make for good showings.

And that's just the exterior.

Inside, a vacant home is almost never as appealing as a well-staged, occupied home.

P.S.: Think Winter spares owners any of these concerns? Think again.

While there may not be critters, there is the risk (at least in MN) of frozen pipes, ice dams, etc.