In Whitney, removing ice dams demands comprehension of different techniques that are appropriate for the diverse roof types and weather conditions present in the community. Ice dams form when the snow on one's roof melts and then refreezes at the leading edge. They create a barrier that stops water from draining away, and over time, the water that drains up behind an ice dam can do some really severe damage to roofs and the structures behind them. In terms of the cause, the melt may occur due to certain kinds of weather or inadequate insulation and ventilation in the attic space. Who you gun to work on your roof helps determine how effective and harmless to your roof an appropriate ice dam removal method will be.
In homes where ice dams are light to moderate, the recommended course of action is to remove the ice dam with steam. This high-temperature, high-water-content vapor method is a safe, effective, and eco-friendly way to reverse freezing that is happening at the eaves of a house without damaging the roofing material in the process. Warning: Do not attempt ice dam removal with a steam generator with a VICO-unit attachment; this method is ineffective and dangerous. Also, do not use a pressure washer, as that will definitely void any roofing warranty you might have and cause damage such that your house will never again be as tight as it was before.
When ice buildup is very thick, it might take a combination of techniques to remove it, beginning with a brute-force approach and finishing with a more delicate technique to ensure that everything is clear. The monster ice dam I once cleared took three days and involved using tools and techniques I would normally never recommend in a workshop setting because of the danger they're in to roofing materials. I was on the roof working under the supervision of the property owner while we both watched rigorously for falling icicles. That's an intense kind of attention to safety that most people really don't think of when they're just brainstorming how to address a problem.
