Ice Dam Removal in Summit County

Ice dam removal in Summit County is one of the most common winter roof calls, and for good reason. Summit County averages about 268 inches of snow a year, and our winters swing between bright, sunny afternoons and hard freezes at night. That combination is exactly what builds ice dams. Left alone, an ice dam can push water under shingles and into your walls and ceilings. Ice dam steaming removes the ice without damaging the roof underneath.

What is an ice dam?

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms along the lower edge of a roof, usually at the eaves and in the gutters. Once it forms, it acts like a wall. Snow melting higher on the roof runs down, hits the ice, and has nowhere to go. That trapped water backs up under shingles or roofing panels and can leak into the attic, walls, and ceilings below.

The large icicles that hang off many mountain homes are often the visible part of an ice dam. They look picturesque, but they usually mean water is melting and refreezing at the roof edge, and they’re a hazard to anyone walking underneath.

Why ice dams form

Ice dams come from a simple cycle of heat loss, melting, and refreezing:

1. Heat escapes into the roof. Warm air from the living space leaks into the attic or roof structure, warming the upper roof deck.
2. Snow melts on the warm part of the roof. Even when it’s well below freezing outside, the snow sitting on that warm section starts to melt from underneath.
3. Meltwater refreezes at the cold eaves. The overhang at the edge of the roof isn’t over heated space, so it stays cold. Water running down refreezes there, and the ridge of ice grows with each cycle.

Sun adds to the problem. A clear afternoon can melt snow on the roof surface, and the water refreezes once the sun drops. Thawing followed by refreezing also adds weight and creates ice, which local fire officials have flagged as a reason for concern during heavy seasons.

Why chipping and hacking damage roofs

When an ice dam is causing a leak, it’s tempting to grab a hammer, an ice pick, or a roof rake and start breaking it up. That usually makes things worse. Ice bonds tightly to the roof surface, and striking it can:

• Crack, gouge, or tear asphalt shingles
• Dent or puncture metal roofing panels and damage their seams
• Bend or rip gutters and downspouts off the fascia
• Damage flashing, which can create new leaks
• Put the person doing it at real risk of falling from an icy roof edge

Ice dam steaming: the safer method

Ice dam steaming uses specialized equipment that delivers low-pressure steam through a wand. Instead of breaking the ice by force, the operator melts channels through the dam and cuts it into sections that can be removed without striking the roof. Steaming lets meltwater drain, takes the weight of the ice off gutters and eaves, and leaves shingles or metal roofing intact.

Steaming is not the same as pressure washing. High-pressure water can strip granules from shingles and force water where it shouldn’t go. When you request ice dam removal, ask how it will be done.

Signs of an ice dam leak

• Water stains or damp spots on ceilings, especially near exterior walls
• Peeling paint or bubbling drywall near the top of walls
• Water dripping around window frames or from soffits
• A thick ridge of ice along the eaves or filling the gutters
• Large icicles, particularly ones with water running down them on sunny days
• Damp or frosty insulation in the attic

If water is actively coming in, move belongings out of the way, catch drips where you can, and call for help. For homes nobody is staying in, a leak can run for days before anyone notices. See snow removal for vacation homes if that’s your situation.

Preventing ice dams

Removal fixes today’s ice. Prevention is about stopping the cycle that creates it. These are topics to discuss with a qualified roofer, insulation contractor, or building professional:

• Insulation. Better attic or roof insulation keeps living-space heat from warming the roof deck and melting snow from underneath.
• Ventilation. A well-ventilated attic or roof assembly helps keep the roof surface closer to the outside temperature, so snow doesn’t melt unevenly.
• Air sealing. Gaps around light fixtures, chimneys, and attic hatches let warm air leak into the roof space.
• Heat cable. Some owners ask about heated cables along the eaves and gutters. Whether they make sense depends on the roof, so get advice specific to your building.
• Keeping snow load down. Less snow on the roof means less meltwater to feed a dam. Regular roof snow removal during heavy cycles helps.