Frequently Asked Questions

Ice dams, as the name implies, are ridges of ice that form on roofs - essentially acting as a dam that inhibits melting snow from properly draining off the roof. Being dammed off, this snow melt then freezes and the process continues. Left unattended, the excess backed up run off can lead to leaks into your home and cause extensive water damage as a result.

Ice dams form as a result of snow buildup on your roof that melts and refreezes, forming a “dam” that traps melted snow and ice behind it. As this process continues and water remains trapped, it can seep into your home and cause damage to interior walls, ceilings, insulation, etc.

This process is often a result of poor/inadequate insulation and/or ventilation. As snow  melts off the roof and refreezes over the colder overhangs, it eventually works its way up the roof until over the interior space where it is met by escaping heat, thus causing excess melt to pool up and become trapped.

Absolutely. Ice dams can cause extensive damage and costly repairs if ignored, not to mention the time and headaches involved! Once an ice dam is formed and snow and ice melt continues to pool up, it will eventually make its way under your shingles or other roofing materials and lead to water damage amongst interior ceilings, walls, and insulation. The costs associated with fixing these problems far exceeds the cost to prevent them from happening in the first place by having the ice dam removed immediately - not to mention avoiding potential health hazards such as mold buildup and formation.

Peak Ice Dam Specialists utilizes only the most advanced ice dam steaming techniques and state of the art equipment to safely and efficiently remove hazardous ice dams from your roof. Our low pressure, non-invasive steamers, specifically designed for ice dam removal, melt ice away with ~290 degree steam - this combination of low pressure, high temperature steam cuts through ice while leaving your roof unscathed and damage free.

Be wary of removal methods that involve high pressure power washers or manual removal by chipping away at the ice with hammers, axes, etc. These methods can lead to melted shingles, holes, and much more - ultimately causing more harm than good. Steaming, and specifically low psi steamers specially designed for this application, are the only safe way to remove ice dams from your roof without risking damage.

Yes, Peak Ice Dam’s Specialists is fully insured with the proper coverage for tackling Ice Dam Removal.

The best way to prevent ice dams is to stop them at their source: snow! Removing snow from your roof is the best preventative measure to ensure ice dams are kept at bay. Peak Ice Dam Specialists offers roof snow removal and shoveling (as well as steaming) to aid in warding off ice dams from occurring in the first place, saving you money in the long run. Whether you need your roof cleared after one big snow, or would like to get on our schedule for regular removal with each storm to leave you worry free, we can help.

Additionally, if ice dams are a recurring problem, it may be time to contact a specialist to have an inspection performed. A professional in this field can help to identify problem areas and prescribe solutions to correct improper insulation and/or ventilation issues.