Ice dam removal in Northern Utah

What is an ice dam, and why does it leak?

Heat from the house, mostly warm air leaking through the ceiling into the attic, warms the upper part of the roof and melts the snow on it. The water runs down to the cold edge of the roof, which hangs past the heated walls, and freezes there. The ridge of ice grows, and the meltwater behind it has nowhere to go.

Shingles are made to shed water running downhill. They are not made to hold back standing water, so it works under them and into the roof, the insulation, the ceiling and the walls.

Signs you have an ice dam

• Icicles hanging along the gutter or the roof edge
• A thick ridge of ice at the eave, or ice filling the gutter
• Water stains or damp spots on a ceiling or outside wall near the roof edge

What not to do

• Don't climb on a snowy or icy roof. Falls are the main cause of injury
• Don't chip at the ice with a hammer, a pick, a hatchet or a metal shovel. That is how shingles and gutters get broken
• Don't use a metal roof rake, and keep any rake well away from power lines

What you can do from the ground: pull snow off the lower few feet of the roof with a long-handled plastic roof rake, so there is less to melt. Stand clear of the eave while you do it.

How to keep ice dams from coming back

University of Minnesota Extension and the U.S. Department of Energy's building guidance give the same fix, in this order:

• Seal the air leaks from the house into the attic: around light fixtures, the attic hatch, plumbing and wiring
• Add attic insulation. The National Weather Service suggests at least R-30, and R-38 in northern climates
• Make sure the attic is vented, so the roof stays cold
• Keep the gutters clean before winter

The roof itself has a second line of defense. When we replace a roof we install a self-adhering ice-and-water membrane at the eaves and in the valleys, under the shingles, so water that backs up has a harder time getting in.

What does ice dam removal cost?

It depends on how much ice there is, how high and steep the roof is, and how easy it is to reach. We look at it and give you a price before any work starts.

Will insurance cover ice dam damage?

That depends on your policy. If water came into the house, take photos, keep your receipts and call your agent. If it becomes a claim, we document the damage and meet the adjuster with you. See storm damage and insurance claims, and how much snow a roof can hold in Utah for the warning signs of a roof under strain.