Homeowners can prevent ice dams but should leave the removal thereof to the experts.
You should avoid attempting to remove ice dams on your own. Often DIY ice dam removals lead to roof damage and injury and can therefore lead to many related and unexpected expenses. It is highly recommended to leave the removal of an already formed ice dam to the experts.
As an experienced roofing company All Roofs Inc. makes use of low-pressure, 150 PSI steam to avoid harming your roof. We use water heated to a temperature of between 250° and 300°, which easily melts away the ice. Our team then makes quick work of the shoveling. For a fast and effective ice dam removal, steam is the best way to handle it.
For efficient ice dam removal, make sure to get in touch with our helpful team of roofers.
1. How DIY Ice Dam Removal Can Cause Damage to your Property
When homeowners notice an ice dam forming, their first instinct is generally to want to break up the ice dam with a shovel, hatchet, or other tools. Another common DIY idea is to form a channel to make water flow away easier.
The biggest challenge really is that the ice has bonded to the roofing material. Any force that you exert on the ice will be directly transferred to the roofing material below, which often causes damage. This damage is more often than not, broken or displaced shingles.
Another potential problem can be caused when you are positioning yourself on a ladder in wet or ice conditions. Not only can you cause damage to your gutters or other residential roofing components if you were to lose your balance, but you can also sustain serious injuries.
Renting a steam device or pressure washer can also cause damage to your shingles and roofing. The low-pressure steam solution that we provide is the best option which prevents roof damage.
2. How DIY Ice Dam Removal Can Cause Injury
Removing an ice dam on your own can easily result in injury or worse. Getting on a roof or ladder without the proper training and experience that roofing companies have, can rapidly result in a fall, more so when you attempt this during snowy or icy weather.
Perhaps your plan is to remove the ice dam by pouring boiling water on your roof. Take a moment to consider the practicalities of this. Firstly, you will need to climb a ladder whilst balancing a pot of hot water with both hands. The ladder is most likely slippery, making this a hazardous journey. Furthermore, if you do get to the top of the ladder you will need to lean over the gutter and pour this hot water onto a sloping roof where the water will most likely be directed to flow straight back at you. This plan is fraught with dangers and its best to abandon this attempt.
If you were considering using a hair dryer to melt the ice, please reconsider. Electrocution is a very real threat as there is a lot of water present on your roof.
3. How DIY Ice Dam Removal Can Cost You More
Trying to save some money by attempting a DIY ice dam removal may cost you more in the end. As roofing contractors we have heard many stories from our clients. These include the use of “As Seen On TV” salt pucks, which are often ineffective. Also renting of steam machines, hefty roof repair bills and unexpected hospital trips for the DIY’er form part of this collection of stories.
The safest, most effective, and economical way to prevent water from entering your home is to hire professional and affordable roofing experts to remove an ice dam. You can prevent ice dams from forming if you keep snow off your roof, however, be sure to do this safely.
