Snow & Ice Dam Removal

Snow Loads and Ice Dams are major winter roof threats:

Snow load is the sheer weight of accumulated snow and ice stressing the roof structure - The total weight of snow and ice on your roof. If the load exceeds the roof's design capacity, it can cause serious problems, including sagging roofs, unusual creaking noises, difficulty opening doors or windows, and, in severe cases, partial or complete roof collapse. Flat or low-pitched roofs are especially vulnerable because they retain snow more readily.

Ice dam forms when heat from the house melts roof snow, which refreezes at the cold eaves, creating a barrier that traps water, causing it to back up under shingles and leak inside.

Preventing both involves:

• Insulation & Ventilation: Keep attics cold by sealing air leaks (vents, outlets) and ensuring proper insulation and ventilation (soffit/ridge vents) to keep the entire roof surface cold.
• Clear Snow: Use a long-handled roof rake from the ground to remove snow, especially from the roof edge, after heavy storms (e.g., after 6 inches).
• Clear Gutters: Keep gutters free of leaves and debris to allow water to flow freely.
• Ice Removal (Once Formed): Use calcium chloride ice melt in a nylon stocking to create drainage channels, but avoid chipping at ice with tools that can damage shingles and put holes in the roof.
• Professional Help: For significant buildup, call roofers for safe removal and consult about insulation/ventilation improvements.

Signs of Trouble

• Ice Dams: Icicles, visible ice behind gutters, water stains on ceilings/walls.
• Snow Load: Sagging roof, difficulty opening/closing doors/windows due to structural shifts, cracked paint

Ice damming is when a ridge of ice forms at the edge of a roof, blocking normal drainage of melting snow, causing water to back up, seep under shingles, and leak into your home, damaging ceilings, walls, insulation, and contents