Hire a roof cleaner for the safest ice dam removal
Clearing ice dams from your roof might seem like a simple DIY job or even one that a variety of professionals could tackle. However, improper removal can easily lead to roof damage, so the safest option is to hire a roof cleaner to get the job done. There’s no licensing required in most areas, but you should make sure your professional carries insurance that specifically covers ice dam removal.
You should hire a local roof cleaner to clear ice dams from your roof. They’ll have the tools and experience to remove the ice without damaging your roof. Other professionals may not use the proper removal technique, which includes using steam to melt the ice and letting it drain safely from your roof rather than breaking it up. Here are a few of the key benefits of hiring a roof cleaner to clear ice dams:
Lower risk of roof damage: Most importantly, roof cleaners will avoid the use of mechanical tools like ice picks to remove the ice. Avoiding physical tools and salt solutions will decrease the risk of roof damage and discoloration.
Proper insurance: Roof cleaners are more likely to have insurance that specifically covers ice dam removal. That means you’re protected in the event that something goes wrong and causes more damage to your home.
Advice on avoiding future issues: Roof cleaners understand how and why ice dams form, so they’re more likely to be able to offer advice on how to winterize your roof properly to avoid recurring issues with ice dams.
It’s possible to DIY ice dam removal, but it’s not a good idea. Proper removal involves raking the snow off of your roof, which is easy to DIY, but also melting the ice underneath with steam. DIYers often won’t have access to machines that produce the hot steam required to melt the ice.
You could physically pick away at the ice, but it’s easy to damage your roof in the process and open your home up to roof leaks, which will cost far more than the ice dam removal cost a professional will charge.
Additionally, working on a roof that’s slick with snow and ice can be extremely dangerous, so it’s best to leave this job to the professionals.
Roofers should be able to identify the signs of an ice dam, and some might be willing to clear them for you, but you should ask before hiring if they have insurance that covers this specific work, and you should also ask about the method they’ll use to clear the dam.
Roofing companies will certainly have the safety equipment required, but if they lack proper insurance coverage or plan on using a different removal method, steer clear and go with a snow removal specialist instead.
However, if an ice dam causes roof damage, a roofer is your best option for repair.
"Your attic should be similar temperature to outside, which eliminates the melting on the roof which then will eliminate the ice problems. Keeping your attic cold through insulation on the attic floor and properly functioning ventilation is the solution."
— Todd Miller, President of Isaiah Industries, Piqua, OH
Some handymen might be willing to clear ice dams from your roof, but we don’t recommend going this route. Handymen often do not have the proper insurance to cover any resulting roof damage, and most won’t have the steam equipment necessary to get the job done safely.
Experienced roof cleaners will start the job by raking snow accumulation off of your roof to expose the ice. Next, they’ll melt the ice using steam and never an open flame or salt solution. Open flames can burn your roof and potentially cause fires, and salt solutions can discolor and even weaken your roof. A true professional will methodically get rid of the ice using hot steam, allowing it to melt and fall safely into your gutters for proper disposal.
