How to Safely Remove Ice Dams from Your Roof

As winter settles across Wisconsin, many homeowners face a common yet serious problem: ice dams. If you’ve noticed large icicles forming along your roof’s edge or experienced mysterious water stains along your ceiling, you’re likely dealing with ice dams.

In this complete article, we’ll help you understand what ice dams are, how they form, and most importantly, how to safely remove them without damaging your roof.

What Are Ice Dams and Why Should You Worry About Them?

As heat rises in the home and accumulates along the peak, it melts the snow that sits there, causing it to melt. As this water flows down toward your roof’s edge, it reaches the colder eaves and gutters, where it refreezes. Over time, this process creates a barrier of ice that prevents proper drainage.

Ice dams are built up along your roof’s eaves (the edges) and form thick ridges of ice along them. While they might create pretty icicles, ice dams can cause serious damage to your home. 

The real problem begins when water backs up behind this ice barrier. If it’s unable to flow into your gutters and off your roof, the water can find its way under your shingles and into your home. 

This can lead to:

👉 Stained and sagging ceilings

👉 Warped floors and damaged walls

👉 Soaked and ineffective insulation

👉 Dangerous mold growth

👉 Loose roof shingles

👉 Damaged or torn-off gutters

What Are The Safe Methods for Removing Existing Ice Dams?

When you spot an ice dam on your roof, you need to act quickly but carefully. Here are the safest ways to remove ice dams:

#1 Box Fan Method

In case of active leaks due to ice dams, your first priority must be to reduce the amount of interior damage. 

Consider placing a box fan inside your attic, aiming it directly at the underside of the roof where you’ve noticed the leaks occurring.

The air will help dry out the moisture in the air, temporarily stopping the leak while you arrange for professional removal, or try other methods.

#2 The Roof Rake Method

One of the most effective ways to prevent ice dams from growing is to remove the source, the snow on your roof. Using a long-handled aluminum roof rake with wheels, carefully pull snow down from your roof while standing safely on the ground. 

The wheels are important as they prevent direct contact with your shingles, protecting them from damage.

Remember to:

👉 Pull the snow straight down, not sideways

👉 Leave a thin layer of ice to protect your shingles

👉 Never climb onto a snow-covered roof

👉 Stay clear of power lines

#3 Professional Steam Removal

Steam removal is another effective and safe method for removing existing ice dams. 

Professional contractors use specialized low-pressure steamers that can melt ice without damaging your roofing materials. While this method may seem expensive, it’s cheaper than repairing water damage or replacing damaged shingles.

#4 The Calcium Chloride Method

While it might sound unusual, this method can be effective for creating drainage channels through an ice dam. Here’s how to do it:

1. Fill the leg of a pair of nylon stockings with calcium chloride ice melter.

2. Lay the filled stockings vertically across the ice dam, perpendicular to your roof’s edge.

3. Make sure the stockings extend over your gutters.

4. Use a long-handled garden rake to position the stockings if needed.

5. The calcium chloride will gradually melt through the ice, creating channels for trapped water to escape.

Here Are Some Dangerous Ice Dam Removal Methods That You Must Avoid

While dealing with ice dams can be frustrating, certain removal methods can cause more harm than good. Here are the approaches you should absolutely avoid:

#1 Sharp Tools and Manual Removal

You might be tempted to attack the ice with a hammer, axe, or ice pick, but this is extremely dangerous. These tools can:

👉 Strip protective granules from your shingles

👉 Create tears or holes in your roofing material

👉 Cause personal injury from slipping on ice

👉 Void your roof’s warranty

#2 Pressure Washers

Despite what some might suggest, pressure washers are not suitable for ice dam removal. The combination of high pressure and potentially lukewarm water can:

👉 Force water under your shingles

👉 Strip away roofing materials

👉 Create more ice when the water refreezes

#3 Salt and Chemical De-Icers

Directly applying salt or chemical de-icers might seem like a quick fix, but these substances can:

👉 Corrode metal gutters and flashing

👉 Damage to nearby plants when the ice melts

👉 Discolor and deteriorate roofing materials

👉 Create chemically contaminated runoff that can seep into your home

Also Read: Top 5 Products to Help You Get Rid of Ice Dams

How To Prevent Ice Dams On Your Roof

The best way to handle ice dams is to prevent them from forming in the first place. Here are effective long-term solutions:

#1 Proper Attic Insulation

Your attic plays an important role in preventing ice dams. Adequate insulation keeps heat where it belongs in your living space. Have a professional assess your attic insulation levels and add more if needed. Pay special attention to:

👉 Areas around light fixtures

👉 Spaces near chimneys and vents

👉 The attic floor

👉 Areas where walls meet the attic floor

#2 Effective Ventilation

Proper roof ventilation helps maintain a consistent temperature across your entire roof. A well-ventilated roof requires:

👉 Continuous soffit vents along the eaves

👉 Ridge vents at the peak

👉 Proper baffles to ensure airflow from soffit to ridge

👉 At least 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic floor

#3 Sealing Air Leaks

Even small air leaks can contribute to ice dam formation. Common areas requiring attention include:

👉 Attic hatches or pull-down stairs

👉 Cable TV and electrical wire entrances

👉 Plumbing vents

👉 Chimneys and furnace flues

When Is It Best To Hire A Professional For Ice Dam Removal?

It is best to hire a professional to remove ice dams from your roofs and prevent further damage. 

Call A Professional When:

👉 You notice water stains on your roof’s ceiling or walls

👉 Ice dams return despite your prevention efforts

👉 Your gutters are pulling away from the roof

👉 You spot damaged or loose shingles

👉 The ice dam is particularly large or thick

👉 You can’t safely remove snow from the ground 

Get Emergency Roofing Services In Wisconsin

Ice dam accumulation is a serious and emergency roof problem that must be addressed properly. To address issues with ice dams in Wisconsin, contact us. We are committed to providing professional roofing services to the homeowners of our state.

If you’re experiencing ice dam problems in Mayville or the surrounding areas of Wisconsin, don’t wait until the water starts leaking into your home.

We offer comprehensive roofing services, including roof damage repair, roof replacement, and new installations for homeowners. Call (920) 249-4228 to discuss your roofing needs with our professional team.

Frequently Asked Questions