When to Call a Roofer for Snow and Ice Buildup: A Homeowner’s Guide

Snow softly falling outside your window can quickly turn from a winter wonderland into serious roof issues and ice dam damage. Read more to learn what causes ice build up on roofs, DIY quick fixes, and how to determine if you need professional ice dam removal. 

Snow Buildup on Roof: When is it a problem?

With Canadian winter storms rolling in nearly every other weekend, it’s not unusual to see several inches of snow accumulation on your rooftop.

But how do you know when snow will mess with the integrity of your roof? 

Most roofs in prime condition can bear about 20 pounds per square foot of snow. This may be up to 4 feet of accumulation for fresh snow, but with older, packed snow, anything higher than 1 foot can cause issues. 

When your roof bears excessive weight, it may sag, collapse, block critical ventilation, or pull away from your gutters. 

What is an ice dam on a roof?

The weight of heavy snow is only part of the problem because a 1-inch ice buildup is equivalent to 1 foot of snow!

Ice dam roof issues form when warm air slips under a roof’s shingles, temporarily melting the exterior ice. As the water rolls down toward the roof’s edges where the temperature is colder, it refreezes and creates a blockage. 

A few thaw-freeze cycles later and that small blockage turns into a chronic winter issue that seriously damages your roof and compromises its integrity. Water backs up and sits on your rooftop, eventually leading to water leakage inside your home — not good!

Signs of an Ice or Snow-Related Roof Issue 

At what point should you shovel snow off your roof? If you’re unsure whether snow accumulation is just another part of winter or a real issue for your roof, check for these signs:

• Accumulated, heavy snow higher than 1 foot

• Ice dam formation

• Blocked roof vents

• Doorways becoming more difficult to open/shut

• Cracked plaster or drywall

DIY Roof Snow Removal: Should I remove snow from my roof?

Homeowners may find themselves removing snow from roofs if a buildup requires a quick fix immediately. 

If you’re going to DIY snow removal from roof areas, you must be able to do it safely. Since ladders can’t sit stably on the ground, you should be able to work safely from the ground to assess the issue and remove excess snow. 

Try roof raking with a long-handled snowrake to easily reach those snowy areas from the safety of the ground. Use a tool with rollers when roof raking snow to prevent unintentionally damaging your roof as you work. 

Roof raking can help you remove the overhangs, but sometimes a professional is needed to treat more extensive snow on roof issues and ice dam removal. 

DIY Ice Dam Removal: What do you do when you have ice buildup on your roof?

Snow Rakes

Does roof raking prevent ice dams?

When homeowners remove snow from roofs, it helps with ice dam prevention. Less snow on the roof means less water to melt and less ice buildup, causing damming issues. As previously mentioned, choose a rake with rollers to prevent roof damage and rake only from the safety of flat ground.

Cold Air Fan

Roof ice melting can cause ice dams and water leakage into your house. Use a box fan in your attic to blow cold air into your home’s interior to keep melted water at bay and refreeze it.

To Hack or Not to Hack

Hacking or chipping away at ice dams on your roof is never a good idea. Climbing your roof and using sharp tools puts your safety and your home’s integrity at risk. 

Professional Snow and Ice Dam Remedies + Prevention

Your roof is one of the most expensive investments in your home. With a professional touch, you can ensure that roof snow removal is assessed and expertly treated - any error you make trying to DIY can become a growing expense!

If your quick fix requires a ladder, call a professional roofing contractor who can safely ascend your roof and deal with the issues at hand. 

When you call a professional roofer, you won’t just get a band-aid solution - we can fix the structural issues causing ice dams and snow damage at their root. 

Permanent Ice Dam Fixes

Improve Eaves and Ridge Ventilation

Ridge and continuous soffit vents allow cold air to circulate under your roof. Cold air keeps ice frozen, preventing the ice thaw/freeze process that causes dams in the first place. 

A 1 square foot opening for every 300 square feet of attic and baffles at the eaves keep a clear path for airflow, even during harsher winter conditions. When you can keep the roof the same temperature as the eaves, you can prevent ice dam buildups and snow damage. 

Vent Air Away From Soffits

Any ducts, kitchen, bathroom, or dryer vents must push indoor moisture outside. These vents should safely move through your home’s exterior walls or roof, not the soffit. 

Upgrade your Insulation

If you can keep your roof as cool as possible during the winter months, you’ll be able to prevent ice dam formation. Of course, you can’t live comfortably in a home that hovers around the freezing point, so adding insulation between the floor of your attic can keep more heat in your home and the air above your living space cool. 

Bonus: You’ll save on heating costs, too!

Improve Chimney Flashing

The gap between your chimney and your home is a common risk area for melting snow leaking into houses. Professionals can use flashing and fire-safe sealants to protect and dry those areas. 

Professional Ice Dam Removal Near Me

Ready to invest in new roofing shingles? As the best Hamilton roofing company, our experts can assess your roof issues and work through preventive measures to solve your ice dam issues - permanently! Learn more and get a free cost estimate - call (905) 544-4667 today.