Ice Dam Removal & Remediation
Steam removal of ice dams is best way to remove ice dams and not cause property damage to roofs.
Address
J&S General Contractor
PO Box 148,
New Hampshire 03038
Ice Dam Removal
Ice dams present a very real danger once they loosen, often ripping off shingles and eaves. And imagine the damage caused when a large, heavy block of ice falls onto your gardens, landscaping, vehicles or whatever else is below your gutters. Learn more about ice dams for and then call us. We service in and around:
- Derry
- Keene
- Merrimack
- Salem
- Lowell MA
- Dover NH
- Concord
Winter brings plenty of challenges, like dropping temperatures, dangerous road conditions and heavy storms, but another silent problem also arrives in winter — ice dams. These blockages build up quickly on houses of any age and may create extensive damage inside your home, as well as present a very real danger outside.
Snow, sleet and rain fall on your roof to create a blanket over the shingles. Warmth comes up through the attic to melt the lower layer of snow/ice, which then trickles down the sloped shingles to your eaves, where it promptly freezes. The more often this happens, the greater the ice dam. Flat roofs build up ice dams quicker, as the moisture cannot efficiently drain off the roof, but all types of roofs and all types of houses face the danger of ice dams.
Contact Details
Understanding the Danger
Icicles hanging from eaves create a beautiful winter scene, but think about what’s happening behind those icicles. As the frozen blockage grows, moisture (in the form of melted snow and ice) is forced back up the roofline and against the shingles. This moisture loosens even the sturdiest shingles, creating gaps and trickling through to the interior of your home. Moisture now has a clear path into your attic and ceiling, down wall cavities and through insulation. Mold, rot and other forms of water damage soon follow.
Ice dams also present a very real danger once they loosen, often ripping off shingles and eaves. And imagine the damage caused when a large, heavy block of ice falls onto your gardens, landscaping, vehicles or whatever else is below your gutters.
Dangers of Using Common Ice Dam Removal Techniques
Call a professional once you have recognized an ice dam issue and inquire about their ice dam removal techniques. Not all removal methods are equal, and many pose the risk of further damage.
Hot water pressure washers have many uses, but avoid using this equipment on your roof. The high pressure jet of hot water creates a host of problems. Although it may remove the ice dam, this method leaves behind damaged shingles and roofing material, making your home more vulnerable to ice dam issues in the future.
Consider how well pressure washers clean up concrete, wood and other surfaces, and then consider what that equipment will do to your shingles. Sand, tar and even roofing paper can be quickly and easily removed or cut with a hot water pressure washer commonly used by companies promoting ice dam removal. Avoid hiring any contractor that plans to remove your ice dam with force (such as by chiseling or hammering the ice out in small chunks) or with a pressure washer.
Ice dam steamers provide the smartest, safest, and most cost-efficient method of removing ice dams from any home or building.
Three Benefits of Using an Ice Dam Steamer
Contractors equipped with ice dam steamers are well trained. They have experience in how to handle this equipment and how to tackle your ice dams safely. Trust their expertise to do the job right the first time.
Ice dam steamers do not require hot water and come with long hoses (much longer than hot water pressure washers) to create steam at precisely the right temperature, allowing for a gentler removal process. This poses much less of a risk to anything below the ice dams, such as shrubs, trees, gardens, fences or decks.
Most importantly, using an ice dam steamer avoids damage to your shingles, gutters and all roofing material. Protect your investment by using equipment designed for safe ice dam removal, and avoid the use of hot water pressure washers to remove ice dams.
Be smart this winter season. Inspect your home for signs of ice dams and call for ice dam removal from a professional contractor using an ice dam removal steamer. Make the best of a beautiful winter by protecting the inside and ouside of your home against ice dam problems.
