Ice dams causing problems for homeowners

With temperature expected to return to the mid 20s in the Twin Cities by the middle of next week, homeowners may begin seeing evidence of ice dams.

When it's cold, ice built up on roof eaves does not typically cause water to back up into homes. But when the roof deck temperatures get above 20 degrees, melting causes water backups behind ice dams, said Steve Kuhl, owner of an ice dam removal company in Hopkins.

Kuhl said it's been a big problem this season.

"This year has been particularly bad. I would say in the past 25 years that I've been doing this, it ranks number two behind 2010 which was, as you might remember, a pretty epic ice dam season," he said.

The University of Minnesota Extension Service says ice dam removal should be left to professionals because it's dangerous and if not done properly, can damage roofing and other parts of homes.