Ice Dam Removal in the Twin Cities: Why Steam Beats Chipping

Every winter in the Twin Cities, some roofs grow a thick ridge of ice along the eaves while meltwater backs up behind it and finds its way into the attic or down interior walls. Homeowners see icicles and water stains, and commercial building owners see leaks above inventory or tenants. Knowing what an ice dam is and how to deal with it safely can save a roof from a bigger repair.

What an ice dam is

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and blocks melting snow from draining. It starts with uneven roof temperatures. Heat escaping from the building warms the upper roof, and snow there melts. The water runs down to the colder eave, where it refreezes. Over days and weeks the ice builds up into a barrier. Water pools behind that barrier and can seep up under shingles, through nail holes and seams, and into the structure.

Why the damage can be worse than it looks

The visible ice is only part of the story. Water behind the dam can soak insulation, stain ceilings, lift paint, damage drywall and create conditions for mold. Gutters packed with ice can pull away from the fascia. Because the leak often shows up far from the dam itself, many owners do not connect the stain on a bedroom ceiling to the eave outside until a professional points it out.

Why chipping and other shortcuts hurt the roof

The instinct is to get rid of the ice by any means. Most of those means are harder on the roof than they seem.

• Chipping with a hammer, axe or shovel can crack shingles, strip granules and puncture flashing, and it is dangerous on a slick, steep surface
• Scraping with metal tools gouges roofing material that is already brittle in cold weather
• Rock salt melts ice unevenly, can stain or corrode metal and runs off onto landscaping
• Pouring hot water from a hose tends to refreeze and add to the problem
• Climbing a ladder onto an icy roof puts a person at real risk of falling

Why steam is the safest removal method for shingles

Steam removes ice by melting it with controlled heat and low pressure, and not by hitting it. A trained technician guides a steam wand along the base of the dam and cuts channels so trapped water can drain away. There is no impact against the shingles and no heavy tools bearing down on the surface. The ice gives way while the roofing stays intact. Metro Cleaning Service, Inc. uses steam for ice dam removal because it is the safest method of ice removal to protect your shingles.

Steam also works on both residential and commercial roofs. A homeowner with a gable over a porch and a property manager with a long flat edge above a loading area have the same basic problem, and the same method applies. Metro Cleaning Service, Inc. has helped homeowners and businesses with ice dams for over 50 years.

What to do before you call

• Look from the ground for ice ridges along the eaves, large icicles and ice-filled gutters
• Check ceilings and walls below the roof edge for new stains, drips or bubbling paint
• Place buckets under active drips and move valuables out of the path
• Take a few photos of the ice and any interior stains for your records and your insurer
• Keep gutters and downspouts clear in the fall so meltwater has a path
• Call a professional and describe what you see, including which side of the building faces the problem

What not to do

• Do not climb onto an icy roof or lean a ladder against a slick edge
• Do not chip, pry or hammer at the ice
• Do not use sharp tools or a pressure washer on shingles
• Do not pile salt on the roof or use deicers that can damage roofing and metal
• Do not ignore interior stains and hope they dry out

Removal treats the symptom

Taking the ice off stops the immediate leak, but it does not fix the cause. Ice dams come back when warm air keeps leaking into the attic or when the roof deck stays warmer than the eave. Sealing air leaks, improving insulation and ventilating the attic reduce the heat that feeds the problem. A roofer or insulation contractor can evaluate those fixes while the dam removal keeps the water out in the meantime.

Residential and commercial roofs

On a house, the typical trouble spots are north-facing eaves, valleys and areas over heated rooms. On a commercial building, problems often appear along parapets, over entries and at roof drains. In both cases a call early in a freeze and thaw cycle is easier than waiting for water to reach the interior.

If you can see ice building along your roof edge, Metro Cleaning Service, Inc. can send a crew to remove it with steam. See our ice dam removal service at /services/ice-dam-removal, or call (651) 484-9799 for a free estimate.