What to Know About Professional Ice Dam Removal Services

It is an unsightly scene to find a large, swollen mass of ice forming on your roof during the cold weather months. We have all seen ice crystals hanging down from gutters. But if yours is growing rapidly or there are leaks in your home’s attic or other rooms, you may need to take immediate action.

Ice dams pose a threat to both your roof and the immediate safety of the property and people sitting below the area. And because most DIY approaches are unsafe for you and your roof, hiring a professional is highly recommended. Here are six tips to consider before hiring a pro for ice dam removal services.

1. Know When to Take Action

Ice dams are formed by melted water running underneath snow piles on your roof. As heat escapes through the attic, it can melt snow, which runs down into your gutters and freezes underneath. As it accumulates, large, swollen masses of ice can damage gutters, downspouts, and eaves. They also pose a safety threat to decks, sidewalks, and people underneath.

It is time to take action if:

• Shingles appear damaged or compromised on your roof.

• Water is leaking into your attic or other rooms in the home.

• Your roof or gutters are sagging or straining under the weight of the ice dam. (Most roofs are built to support two feet of old packed snow before problems arise.)

• The ice dam is growing rapidly, and continued cold or wet weather is in the forecast.

There are some ways you can prevent ice dams from forming in the future. But for now, your best bet is to bring in a professional ice dam removal company to tackle the job. Be very careful climbing onto your roof to diagnose the issue, especially if the weather is bad. Having someone to hold the ladder below you is advised or, better yet, use a drone so you do not have to go onto your roof at all.

2. Know Which Methods Could Damage Your Home

Knowing how to fix ice dams seems simple on the surface. Just remove all the ice and snow, then wait for warmer weather to wipe out the rest, right? Sort of, but not exactly. Generally speaking, the safest way (and, therefore, only advisable approach) to remove an ice dam from your roof is with steam. Professional removers use pressured steam machines to melt ice dams and allow liquid to run safely off your roof.

There are a number of potentially dangerous and/or costly methods that are not recommended for clearing out an ice dam on your home. These methods include:

• Putting heating cables on your roof

• Applying an open flame of any type to the ice dam

• Putting salt pucks, salt bags, or other chemicals in your gutters or on the ice dams

• Using an ice pick or other sharp object to break up the ice

Take it as a warning sign from local ice dam removal contractors if they use other methods or do not offer steam services.

3. Prep Work Will Likely Be Necessary

Because ice dams tend to form underneath accumulated snow on the roof, you will likely need to clear off all the snow first to diagnose your issue. Removing snow from a roof safely is best done with a roof rake, which costs between $60 and $180. Using it regularly to move snow off the roof during periods of cold and wet weather can help prevent ice dams from forming. Just make sure to scrape it off the livable areas below, too, in order to prevent your deck from incurring ice and snow damage.

Keep in mind: Roof rakes should not be used to break up the ice, only to clear the overhanging snow.

4. Ask About Fee Structures

A local snow removal specialist is your best bet for this job. But because each ice dam removal job is different, professionals may use different fee structures or payment methods to do the job. Be sure to ask for a quote.

Most pros charge by the hour ($300 to $600 per hour is common), but some have a minimum two-hour commitment. Others charge extra for immediate service. Get at least two or three quotes to find a good deal on ice dam removal costs in your area.

If you are removing an ice dam from an industrial, corporate building or large structure, you may need to hire a bigger company to prepare the area and tackle the job.

5. Only Hire Bonded and Insured Professionals

As you look over reviews and make a shortlist of pros to call, be sure to ask if they are licensed and bonded. Ice dam removal does come with risk. Hiring a bonded and insured contractor protects you in case something happens or the job is not completed correctly.

6. Be Specific When Asking an Ice Dam Removal Pro About Insurance

A simple “yes” is not enough in the case of ice dam removal when discussing contractor insurance. Because the procedure is dangerous, insurance costs can be extraordinarily high for companies. 

For example, a handyperson or roof company may have experience getting rid of ice dams. But just because they have insurance does not necessarily mean it covers ice dam removals. In many cases, contractors mistakenly assume they are covered for ice dams because they have general insurance, but that is not always the case. Be sure to ask the professional specifically if they are covered for ice dam removal before hiring or signing any paperwork.

What Can Happen if Ice Dams Aren’t Removed?

Here are some potential consequences that you might have to deal with if you avoid removing an ice dam.

Gutter Damage

Ice dams can cause serious damage to your gutters. This is usually due to the weight of the ice pressing down onto them or from ice forming inside. As a result, gutters can bend, bulge, or detach from your home. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to replace them.

Damaged Shingles

When you have an ice dam, any melting snow or rain can get trapped around the dam instead of properly draining into your gutters. This extra pooling of water can seep through your shingles, your roof’s underlayment, and even the decking. Over time, the moisture may cause your shingles to lift. Once they begin to lift, then moisture can seep into your home even faster.

Leaks

As mentioned in the previous section, excess water can seep into your home when it gets trapped by an ice dam. This can lead to a long list of issues, including:

• Damage to drywall and insulation

• Water stains on ceilings

• Structural damage to beams and rafters

• Blistering on paint

• Mold and mildew growth

• Damage to personal belongings

If the problems are severe, you may need to look at roof replacement costs, which are substantially higher than ice dam removal costs.

Fires

If you leave your ice dam alone, you run the risk of an electrical fire. This can happen when water begins leaking into your home, seeping into your insulation, and eventually reaching live electrical wires. If your circuit does not trip like it should, then a fire might start.

Roof Collapse

As you watch the snow accumulate on your roof, you may be wondering, “How much snow can a roof hold?” In most cases, roofs can handle 20 cubic pounds per square foot, which equates to just one inch of ice.

If you have an ice dam and you have not taken care of it, your roof may not be able to handle the extra weight. If you notice signs of a roof collapse, like creaking sounds, you should get your family out of the home right away. Call an ice dam removal service and get the all-clear before moving back into the house.

Harm to People or Property

Maybe you have an ice dam, but you have decided to let the sun take care of it. It might seem like a good idea, but it is not. As the sun warms up the ice dam, pieces of ice can fall off the roof. These unexpected and sometimes large pieces of ice can damage your property below and harm anyone who happens to be standing under the eaves.

More Ice Dams

Until you remove 100% of the snow from your roof using a removal service, you run the risk of getting another ice dam and having these problems repeat themselves.

Tips to Prevent Ice Dams From Reappearing

Here are some practical tips to help prevent ice dams from reappearing:

• Get existing ice dams professionally removed with steam.

• Regularly use a roof snow removal service to keep the roof clear.

• Clean your gutters of leaves and ice.

• Use a roof rake regularly.

• Properly insulate attics with R-30 to R-40 insulation.

• Install proper attic ventilation and keep vents cleared of snow.

• Seal your ceilings.