Icicles hanging along the eaves of your home may look beautiful, but they spell trouble.

The same conditions that allow icicles to form, snow-covered roofs and freezing weather, also lead to ice dams. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof which prevents melting snow from draining as it should. The water that backs up behind the ice dam can leak into the home and cause damage to walls, floors, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.

How do Ice Dams form? See a basic illustration of an ice dam here.

Ice Dam Removal

We are professional roofers and experts at removing ice dams from all roof types without damaging your home. Slaughter Roofing only uses STEAM for ice dam removal. Other approaches are too risky and can easily damage the roof in frigid temperatures. Ice dam removal using a hammer or other impact instruments can result in cracks or small breaks in the shingles allowing for water leakage. Gutter ice removal or roof ice removal using a power washer is also dangerous for the condition of your roof. Power washing uses high-pressure water and while it is effective, it can lift shingles and underlayment from the decking resulting in leaks.

It’s important to note that many companies use high-temperature pressure washers instead of steamers. The simplest way to tell the difference is that a steamer will never have a triggered gun. The safest technique for removing ice on your roof or gutters is by using a true steamer.

Ice Dam Prevention

If you do not currently have ice dams, we suggest removing the snow from either your entire roof or select sections of your roof as a preventative measure. Some areas that see more ice dam build-up are:

• Roof edges 

• Valleys where deep snow can accumulate 

• Roof vents that become blocked by deep snow and don’t allow heat to escape 

• Skylights 

Slaughter Roofing offers three different options to help prevent ice dams on your roof:

Option #1: Our team Installs Heat Tape to problem areas before or after the snow is on your roof. 

Option #2: We help to remove snow from the ground by raking the perimeter edges of the roof and efficiently clean up all snow and ice that has fallen on any walkways and driveways using our snowblower.

Option #3: We help to remove snow on the roof from roof vents, valleys, and perimeter, or your whole roof, if needed and efficiently clean up all snow and ice that has fallen on any walkways and driveways using our snowblower.

Ice Removal

Do you have a dangerous build-up of ice on your driveway or walkway that has been around for weeks? Our true steamer can safely and gently clear ice from around your house to keep your family safe.

Choosing the best for the job

Slaughter Roofing has been removing ice dams for 36 years and our service technicians are professional roofers so we know how to protect your roof. The integrity and life of your roof is important to us and is the main reason why we choose to use only steam to remove dangerous ice dams. We will send at least a two man crew to your job to make operations fast and effective. If you need ice dams removed or need to take preventative steps call your Northern Colorado Roofers at 970-330-7881.