Ice Dam Removal Services

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Ice dams form when heat from the attic melts snow on the roof, the water runs down to the colder eaves, refreezes, and creates a ridge of ice. This ice blocks proper drainage, forcing meltwater to back up under shingles, which leads to leaks, water damage inside the home, rot, mold, and even structural issues.

Professional ice dam removal services focus on safely eliminating the ice dam and restoring proper roof drainage without causing additional harm to the roofing system. The most common and recommended method used by reputable companies is low-pressure steam removal.

1. Zero Damage to Shingles
   • Traditional methods (ice picks, chisels, hammers, pressure washers, or harsh chemicals like rock salt/calcium chloride) chip, crack, tear, or prematurely age asphalt, slate, cedar, or metal shingles.
   • Steam (typically 250–300 °F at very low pressure, < 300 psi) melts ice on contact but is gentle enough that it does not lift granules, crack shingles, or void most roofing warranties. Manufacturers and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) specifically endorse steam-only removal for this reason.

Protects Gutters and Flashing

• Aggressive chopping or high-pressure water can bend, pull away, or crack gutters and drip edge.
• Steam melts ice from the inside out without mechanical force, leaving gutters intact.

Faster and More Thorough

• A professional steamer can melt channels through thick ice in minutes, immediately restoring drainage and preventing further water backup.
• It removes 100 % of the ice in the critical areas (eaves, valleys, around penetrations) rather than just breaking off chunks that can re-freeze.

Safer for Workers and the Home

• No flying ice chunks that can injure people or damage siding/windows.
• No corrosive salt runoff that harms landscaping or enters the watershed.

• Inspection (often with thermal imaging) to identify heat-loss areas causing the dams.
• Safe removal of snow above the dam (raking or gentle blowing) to reduce weight.
• Steam-only ice dam removal, creating drainage channels and clearing gutters/downspouts.
• Application of calcium chloride tablets or socks in the channels (only if requested and done sparingly).
• Recommendations for long-term prevention (improved attic insulation, ventilation, heat cables, etc.).

• Companies that show up with axes, chippers, or pressure washers.
• Anyone who guarantees they can “just bang it off” quickly and cheaply.
• Heavy use of rock salt or calcium chloride pucks spread across the roof (accelerates shingle deterioration).

In short: The gold standard and only truly roof-safe method recommended by roofing contractors, manufacturers, and insurance companies is professional low-pressure steam removal. It costs more than hack methods ($500–$2,500+ depending on severity and roof size), but it prevents thousands in interior water damage and protects your roof’s lifespan.