Ice Dam Removal & Roof Snow Clearing in Pennsylvania

Ice Dam & Roof Snow Removal, what is involved

• Low-pressure steam ice dam removal
• Roof snow clearing on loaded low-slope areas
• Attic heat-loss and ventilation diagnosis
• Soffit intake vent clearing
• Ice-and-water membrane at re-roof
• Interior leak repair after the thaw

Why dams form

Warm air escapes from the living space into the attic through recessed lights, unsealed top plates, attic hatches, plumbing penetrations and bath fans vented into the attic instead of outside. It warms the roof deck. Snow on the warm upper roof melts, runs down to the cold overhang, which sits over open air, not over heated space, and refreezes. After a few cycles you have a ridge of ice holding a pond of standing water that works back up under the shingle courses and into the house.

Steam, not chipping

Low-pressure steam melts a dam without stripping granules or cracking shingles. Hammers, chisels, axes and pressure washers all damage the roof surface, and rock salt corrodes fasteners, flashing, gutters and whatever plantings sit below. A propane torch on a roof needs no further comment.

Roof snow loads

Wet Pennsylvania snow is heavy, and low-slope porch roofs, additions and carports are the usual failure points. Snow removal from those is a legitimate structural precaution, not just cosmetic, but it is done from the ground with a roof rake or by a crew with fall protection, never by climbing onto a snow-covered slope.

The permanent fix

Air-seal the ceiling plane, bring insulation up to a modern depth, clear the soffit intake vents that insulation has usually blocked, and, when the roof is next replaced, run ice-and-water membrane along the eaves. Heat cables are a stopgap for a problem eave, not a solution.

Keystone Storm Roof Network is an independent directory and referral service. We do not perform this work: we connect you with independent Pennsylvania contractors who do.