Roof snow removal
Snow is cleared from the lower roof above the eaves to lighten the roof.
Exterior Services
Ice Dam Removal Scotch Plains, NJ
A roofer in Scotch Plains can remove ice dams with low-pressure steam, cutting channels through the ice so trapped water drains off the roof instead of into the house, without chipping, salt or anything that harms the roof. Call (908) 562-6873 to reach a local roofer.
Ice dams form when snow on the upper roof melts, runs down to the cold eaves and refreezes into a wall of ice that holds back more water. The pooled water behind the dam backs up under the shingles, which are built to shed water, not hold it, and finds its way to the decking, the walls and the ceilings. Ice dams can happen on any roof in places that get snow followed by freezing nights, and they are most common on homes that lose heat into the attic.
How the ice comes off decides whether the roof survives the removal. Hammers and chisels break brittle cold shingles, and salt products corrode flashing and gutters and kill landscaping. Low-pressure steam is the standard method because it melts through the ice without the force or heat of a pressure washer, and it does not damage the roofing.
Before the visit, a quick look from the ground can help. Note where the ice is thickest, whether water is dripping inside and where, and whether icicles are hanging from the gutters. Do not climb onto an icy roof, and keep people away from the eaves where ice could fall.
Many ice dam removal calls in Scotch Plains also turn up a need for roof ventilation or gutter guard installation.
Looking for Scotch Plains ice dam removal? Call (908) 562-6873 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Scotch Plains.
Call nowThe process
How ice dam removal works
Here is how a roofer typically removes ice dams.
Look at the damage
The extent of the ice dam and any interior leaks are looked at first. Safe access is planned since icy roofs are very slippery.
Clear the snow
The roofer removes snow from the lower roof to reduce the melt that feeds the dam. It also takes weight off the roof.
Cut drainage channels
Low-pressure steam cuts channels through the ice dam so trapped water can drain. The method protects the roofing underneath.
Free the drains
Gutters packed with ice are cleared to restore drainage. Drainage has to work for the fix to hold.
Note the cause
After the ice is gone, the roof edge and attic are checked for leaks and the reasons the dam formed. The cause is usually heat escaping into the attic.
What is included
Ice dam work a roofer can handle
De-icing cables
Heat cables are installed in a zigzag along the eaves and in gutters with cables in downspouts too.
Ice dam steaming
Thick ice is melted with steam equipment without harming shingles.
Damage check
Shingles, flashing and gutters are checked for damage after removal so damage can be documented.
Downspout thawing
Downspouts packed with ice are thawed to restore drainage.
Related service
Roof Heat Cable Installation Scotch Plains, NJ
Roof heat cable installation lays electric heating cable along the roof edge, in gutters and down the downspouts to keep a path open for meltwater. The goal is a drainage path, not a bare roof. Some cables regulate their own heat as temperatures change, and others put out the same heat whenever they are on.
Many Scotch Plains homeowners use heat cables on problem areas like valleys or low eaves. Heat cables are electrical equipment and should be installed with ground-fault protection. They work best alongside air sealing and insulation, not instead of them.
Related service
Roof Snow Removal Scotch Plains, NJ
Removing snow from the roof cuts down on ice dams and relieves heavy snow loads. A roof rake with a long handle lets snow be pulled off the first few feet of roof from the ground, leaving a thin layer so the shingles are not scraped. Keep any rake well away from power lines, and stay off snowy roofs entirely.
Many Scotch Plains homeowners clear the roof after big storms to avoid both ice dams and heavy loads. Watch for sagging, cracking, creaking and doors that start to jam, which can point to too much snow load. Leave the area and have the structure checked before going back in.
Local help
Ice Dam Removal Near Me
Ice dam calls in Scotch Plains come from older homes with little attic insulation and newer homes with complex roof lines alike. From Scotch Plains out to neighboring towns such as Fanwood, Westfield, Garwood and Plainfield, older homes often need air sealing and insulation while newer ones may need ventilation work or heat cables in tricky spots, so after the ice comes off, it pays to look at why it formed.
Searching for ice dam removal near me from Scotch Plains or Fanwood, Westfield, Garwood and Plainfield? Call (908) 562-6873 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
What the local climate does to a roof
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. That is why roof repair in Scotch Plains is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Scotch Plains know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Ice Dam Removal questions
What causes ice dams?
Ice dams form when heat from the house warms the roof deck and melts snow from below. Meltwater flows to the colder roof edge and freezes, forming a dam. Fixing heat loss in the attic is the long-term answer.
Are roof heat cables worth it?
Heat cables keep drainage paths open through the ice, which reduces leaks in problem spots. They treat the symptom, not the cause. Pairing cables with attic improvements gives the best results.
How do I handle an ice dam leak inside?
First, catch the water and protect furniture and floors. If water is near lights or outlets, shut off power to that area at the panel if it is safe to reach, and if a ceiling is bulging with water, a small hole away from light fixtures can drain it into a bucket before it collapses. Then call (908) 562-6873 so the ice can be cleared from the roof.
How are ice dams removed?
Low-pressure steam is the standard way to remove ice dams. Steam cuts channels through the ice so water can drain, without cracking shingles. Hammers, picks and salt do more harm than good.
Can I remove an ice dam myself?
Climbing onto an icy roof is dangerous, and falls are a serious risk. A roof rake from the ground can help, but never climb up. Breaking ice with tools damages shingles and gutters, so leave the ice itself to a roofer with steam equipment.
More questions? Call (908) 562-6873
Other services that may help
Roof Ventilation
Balancing attic intake and exhaust with soffit vents, ridge vents and attic fans, without mixing vent types that work against each other.
Learn moreGutter Guard Installation
Guards that keep leaves, needles and roof grit out of the gutters, mounted without lifting the shingles.
Learn moreRoof Leak Repair
Finding where water gets through the roof and sealing it at the source, with the damage underneath checked too.
Learn moreEmergency Roof Repair
Urgent help when a storm, fallen tree or sudden leak opens up the roof, before water spreads through ceilings and walls.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Scotch Plains roofer about ice dam removal
Call (908) 562-6873 for a local roofer in Scotch Plains and nearby towns.