Removing an ice dam, even when it's not actively leaking, is a proactive measure crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of your home. Here are compelling reasons why timely removal is essential:

Prevention of Future Damage:

Ice dams are often precursors to leaks and other forms of water damage. By removing them before leaks occur, you prevent potential structural damage, safeguarding your home from costly repairs.

Structural Stress Mitigation:

The weight of an ice dam places stress on the roof structure, potentially leading to sagging or structural damage. Timely removal helps alleviate this stress, preserving the integrity of your roof.

Gutter and Downspout Preservation:

Ice dams can damage gutters and downspouts, causing them to detach or break. Removing ice dams prevents potential harm to these essential components, ensuring proper water drainage.

Preventing Ice Dam Growth:

If left unaddressed, existing ice dams can continue to grow. Timely removal interrupts this cycle, preventing the accumulation of additional ice and reducing the risk of more extensive damage.

Mitigating Mold and Mildew:

Water leaks from ice dams create a damp environment conducive to mold and mildew growth. Proactive removal helps mitigate the risk of these harmful substances taking hold in your home.

Avoiding Interior Water Damage:

Even if an ice dam is not currently leaking, the standing water behind it can seep into your home over time. Proactive removal reduces the potential for water infiltration, protecting your home's interior spaces.

Enhancing Long-Term Roof Health:

Regular removal of ice dams contributes to the long-term health of your roof. It prevents damage to shingles, underlayment, and other roofing materials, extending the lifespan of your roof.

An ice dam is a ridge or barrier of ice that forms along the edge of a roof, typically in cold climates experiencing snowfall. It occurs when heat escaping from the interior of a building warms the roof, causing snow on the upper part of the roof to melt. As this melted snow runs down the roof, it reaches the colder eaves (the overhang at the lower edge of the roof), where it refreezes, forming a dam of ice.

The process is often exacerbated by inadequate insulation and ventilation in the attic, allowing heat to escape and contribute to the melting and refreezing cycle. The resulting ice dam impedes the natural flow of melting snow, preventing it from draining off the roof. This trapped water can then seep beneath roofing materials, potentially leading to water damage, leaks, and other structural issues.

Ice dams are a common winter phenomenon and can pose a threat to the integrity of a roof and the overall health of a home. Preventative measures such as proper insulation, ventilation, and proactive removal of accumulated snow can help mitigate the risks associated with ice dams.

Removing snow from a roof is a preventative measure that addresses the underlying conditions conducive to ice dam formation. By reducing the accumulation of snow, homeowners can minimize the risk of ice dams, protect their roofs from potential damage, and ensure proper water drainage during winter months.

A typical ice dam removal job usually takes approximately 3 to 6 hours, but the duration can vary based on several factors. Here's an overview of why the time required for ice dam removal can fluctuate:

Size and Complexity of the Roof:

The size and complexity of the roof significantly influence the time required for ice dam removal. Larger roofs or those with intricate designs may take longer to navigate and treat effectively.

Severity of Ice Dam Formation:

The extent and severity of the ice dam play a crucial role. Jobs involving substantial ice buildup or multiple ice dams may take longer to address compared to smaller or less severe cases.

Weather Conditions:

Weather conditions, including temperature and precipitation, can impact the efficiency of the removal process. Extremely cold temperatures may require additional time to melt the ice, while ongoing snowfall during the removal process can complicate the job.

Our ice dam Removal services start at $400 an hour. We can achieve this lower price by being a small, family business. With much less overhead than some of the “ice dam giants”. Our Roof shoveling Services start at $175 an hour.