Do you know how to stop ice damming on a roof or what to do to remove a buildup?
If you have an ice dam on your roof and you don’t know how to get rid of it, then you’re reading the right article.
Here, I’ll be giving you vital ice damming solutions.
Keep reading!
Roof Ice Dam Removal Near Me: 3 Remedies
Having ice dams on your roof not only puts your shingles at risk of damage, but it can also damage your gutters and downspouts.
To make matters worse, ice dam formation can eventually cause leaks through your ceiling.
That being said, you must get rid of the ice dams before it becomes a bigger problem that’ll cost you thousands of dollars in repair.
This is why we will be looking at fixing ice dams today.
How Do Ice Dams Form?
As you already know, ice dams can only form during the winter season. When snow accumulates on your roof, heat from your attic can cause it to melt and flow down to the eaves.
Unfortunately, the eaves are cold and will cause the melted snow to refreeze upon contact. The cycle is continuous, so as long as your attic keeps melting the snow, the water will keep refreezing once it gets to the chilly eaves.
The build-up of refrozen snow is known as an ice dam.
How To Get Rid Of Roof Ice Dams
Removing ice dams can be tricky, for the fact that you’ll have to climb up a ladder and work on a slippery roof.
This is not to say that it can’t be done, you’ll just have to be extremely careful while you’re at it.
Follow these steps to remove ice dams on roofs.
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Call the professionals
As I’ve just mentioned, working on a slippery roof is very tricky. It is also dangerous, being that you could slip and fall off.
Not only can this cause injuries, but it could also lead to death. With this in mind, calling an ice dam removal service would be the safest option.
An ice dam removal service is staffed with experienced professionals who have mastered the art of climbing up an icy ladder and working on a slippery roof. Not only that but they are also equipped with the latest ice dam removal tools you can think of.
It’s true hiring a professional service will cost you some money, but you can be rest assured that they will get the job done!
To add to that, a professional service will be careful enough not to damage your shingles, gutters, or downspouts during ice dam removal. Can you say the same for yourself?
I don’t think so.
All the same, if you think you are up to the task, then here’s what you can do to remove the ice dams yourself.
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Use melts as ice dam solutions
One of the easiest ways for you to remove the ice dam on your roof is to use ice melts. This is a mixture of magnesium chloride and sodium chloride (or calcium chloride), which usually comes in the flaky form.
It can be used to deice your roof fast, as it lowers the freezing point of the ice and breaks it up into slush.
There are various types of ice melts, but Calcium chloride is considered to be the best due to how fast it works and its long-lasting ability.
Besides removing the ice dams, ice melts are great for stopping ice dams from forming in the first place.
You can buy a bag of ice melts from a home improvement store near you, then sprinkle as much as you will need over the affected eaves and into your frozen gutters.
You can also throw some ice melts into your downspouts if they have been frozen from within.
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Use an ice dam steamer
A steamer is one of the most popular tools that professionals use for ice dam removal. This low-pressure machine works by converting water into steam, which is used to melt ice or cut it into chunks.
The steamer has a nozzle through which the blast of steam is delivered. The nozzle also allows you to aim better.
The good thing about using an ice dam steamer is that the steam is warm enough to melt the ice, but not hot enough to damage your shingles.
However, getting a good steamer could prove difficult. First of all, low-pressure steamers cost between $4,000 to $6,000, and that’s a lot of money.
Even if you could afford one, you will still have to climb up the slippery roof to use it. Keep in mind that a steamer is a large machine that vibrates when turned on, so you have to be careful not to lose your footing while directing the nozzle.
Once again, calling a professional service may be your best choice here.
How To Stop Ice Damming On Roof
Preventing ice dams from forming on your roof can save you thousands of dollars down the line.
Here are a few tips to help you stop ice dams from forming on your roof.
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Insulate your attic
The reason ice dams form in the first place is as a result of escaping heat from your attic, which causes the snow on your roof to melt and refreeze once it makes contact with a cooler part of your roof.
That being the case, it would be wise to insulate your attic so that the heat cannot escape through your roof and melt the snow.
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Remove small snow build-ups
The more snow you have on your roof, the greater the chances of ice dam formation. With this in mind, it will be in your best interest to rake off the small snow build-ups before they become large.
You can use a snow rake to take off the snow that is not more than 3 inches thick.
Stopping Gutter Ice Dam Buildup
Ice dams can also form in your gutters, but this can be easily prevented by running heat cables through them.
These cables (also called gutter heaters) are usually covered in aluminum or copper casing, which helps produce more warmth for ice dam prevention.
Conclusion
There you have it guys, that’s how you remove ice dams from your roof.
Remember, hiring professional help is always the best, as they are better trained for the job.
Good luck!