Not known Factual Statements About Roof Ice Dam Removal

Breaking an ice dam may lead to substantial swaths of ice crashing from the roof, breaking windows, harming bushes, and injuring anybody beneath, so Excessive caution have to be taken.

In no way grab a hammer, chisel, or shovel to attack ice dams. This intense approach may cause in depth roof damage. We experienced one particular customer cause $8,000 in roof destruction endeavoring to chip absent a $five hundred ice dam trouble, essentially cracking the roof deck beneath.

When portions with the roof heat above freezing, snow starts to melt. That meltwater then flows downhill right up until it reaches a colder segment of roof near the eaves, wherever it refreezes.

Cap the hatch. An unsealed attic hatch or complete-residence fan is a massive opening for heat to flee. Address them with climate-stripped caps constructed from foil-confronted foam board held together with aluminum tape.

Include insulation. Additional insulation around the attic flooring retains the heat exactly where it belongs. Verify with your local creating department to Learn how A great deal insulation your attic needs.

When an ice dam is considerable, Found with a significant or steep roof, or resulting in Lively leaking, Specialist intervention is usually the safest preference. Specialised contractors use low-pressure steam machines designed specifically for ice dam removal.

Roof raking from the ground is your most secure to start with transfer. Use a light-weight telescoping roof rake to eliminate snow from the very first 6-eight toes within your roof edge just after each snowfall. The National Roofing Contractors Association suggests leaving some snow to cushion the rake and safeguard shingles.

From the ground, utilize a roof rake that has a very long tackle to tug unfastened snow off the primary 3–four toes of roof earlier mentioned the eaves, cutting down meltwater feeding the dam.

Breaking an ice dam is one of the most perilous Do it yourself tasks and is generally much better left for the specialists. Based on Kuhl, “It's nearly impossible to interrupt the ice dam up by using a hammer, Specifically safely.

This freeze-thaw cycle traps drinking water guiding the ice ridge, building situations that simply result in leaks. Realizing these brings about will help homeowners understand each prevention and removal strategies.

As opposed to paying consistently to respond to ice dams once they result in tension or problems, you spend as soon as to lessen or get more info eradicate the challenge just before h2o has an opportunity to get inside.

This tends to help minimize ice buildup. The most beneficial roof rakes will last For a long time and make rooftop snow removal a snap because climbing a ladder isn’t important. Inside a pinch, homeowners can check out utilizing a DIY roof rake to eliminate snow from their house.

How to do it: Use a specialist using a specialized steamer suitable for ice dam removal. They're going to use the steamer to diligently soften the ice, making channels for h2o to empty.

Slipping When you’re climbing a ladder (or even the roof itself) to eliminate an ice dam—and we advocate strongly you keep away from the two tasks—could also bring about critical damage.