The Truth About Ice Dams and How To Prevent and Fix Them 

If you’re experiencing Ice Damming on your roof in central PA including Lancaster and surrounding areas, then read on because I’ll explain what you need to do.

This guide is designed for the homeowner in Pennsylvania who needs immediate answers to mitigate ice dams on their roof and take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

I’ll go over some quick actions you can take right now to slow down or reverse this problem, then explain why it’s happening and how ice dams can be prevented in the future.

Click below to jump to a section within the guide.

• What Causes an Ice Dam On My Roof?
• Should I Remove the Ice Dam or Wait for Warm Weather?
• How Can I Get Rid of the Ice Dam?
• Is Ice Damage Covered by Insurance?
• Risks Associated With Ice Dams
• How to Prevent Ice Dams in the Future
• Joyland Roofing Specializes in Ice Dam Removal
  

Quick Actions for Active Leaks

If You Have an Active Leak

If you’ve got a big ice dam and a leak happening below it, here’s what you can do.

• If there’s a crawlspace or attic space, get up there carefully and put a bucket under the drip. You can also rig up a short length of hose connected to a bucket and direct the hose out over the soffit where the water can drip harmlessly outside.
• If there are large or multiple icicles hanging from the gutter, carefully break them off using a broom or long pole. This reduces weight on your gutters.
• If there’s still snow on your roof, remove it using a snow rake. Snow is the source of the ice formation.
• Use Calcium Chloride, not salt. Salt can corrode roofing components. Calcium Chloride melts at lower temperatures and is not corrosive. You can apply it directly or fill thin socks and lay them across the ice dam to create drainage channels.
• Do not attack the ice with hammers or pry bars. This will likely damage your roof and gutters.



When to Call a Roofer

If you don’t have the proper equipment or cannot safely access the roof,call a roofer immediately. They should not show up with chisels or axes and start pounding on the ice. That creates more damage than it solves.

What Causes an Ice Dam On My Roof?

Ice dams are a thermodynamic issue. They occur when your roof deck temperature is above 32 degrees Fahrenheit while the outdoor temperature is below freezing.

• Warm Air Movement
  Heat moves through your ceiling drywall and framing members into the attic or through cracks and crevices. In older homes where insulation is inadequate, significant heat is lost through the attic.
• Roof Deck Warms Up
  The attic warms and begins warming the roof deck.
• Snow Melts and Refreezes
  Snow melts on the warmer roof surface, runs downward, and refreezes near the colder eaves. This cycle continues as long as snow remains.

The 7 Step Cycle of Ice Dam Destruction

• Warm air escapes into the attic.
• The upper roof deck warms while the eaves stay cold.
• Snow melts where it contacts the warmer roof.
• Melt water flows downward under the snow.
• Water refreezes at the cold eaves and forms a ridge.
• Water pools behind the ridge creating an ice dam.
• Water backs up under shingles and causes a leak.

Should I Remove the Ice Dam or Wait for Warm Weather?

If your roof is not leaking, that’s good. However, if your gutter is full of ice and there is a large ice dam above it, the weight could damage your gutter system.

If the ice dam is small, snow is mostly gone, and there is no leak, you can often wait for warmer weather.

If the ice dam is large, there is significant snow remaining, freezing temperatures are forecasted, or your roof is leaking, it should be removed quickly.

Well installed aluminum K style gutters are designed to hold roughly 40 to 50 pounds per foot. Ice weighs about 57 pounds per cubic foot. Combined weight can exceed gutter capacity and cause failure.

How Can I Get Rid of the Ice Dam?

Professional ice dam removal in Southcentral PA is considered emergency service work.

How Much Does Ice Dam Removal Cost?

Most reputable specialists charge between 250 and 600 dollars per hour with a two hour minimum.

Most homeowners spend between 650 dollars for a small isolated issue and 2,500 dollars for larger or multiple areas.

How Roofers Remove Ice Dams

• Manual chipping with hammers or pry bars should never be used.

• Snow is typically removed first using snow rakes.

• Low pressure steam is the safest and most effective removal method.

• Calcium chloride is used to assist melting because it is not corrosive.

• Hot water pressure washing can work but must be used carefully due to refreezing risks.

Is Ice Damage Covered by Insurance?

Most insurance policies cover resulting interior water damage such as drywall, flooring, and insulation.

Insurance rarely covers ice dam removal or attic upgrades because those are considered maintenance items.

If you fail to mitigate damage, claims can be denied.

Risks Associated With Ice Dams

• Structural Rot
  Ongoing leaks saturate roof decking and framing and can lead to mold and structural deterioration.
• Insulation Failure
  Wet insulation loses its R value, allowing more heat to escape and accelerating the ice dam cycle.
• Gutter Collapse
  Major ice dams can weigh thousands of pounds and rip gutters from the structure.

How to Prevent Ice Dams in the Future

• Air Sealing
• Fixing the leak without fixing the attic is only a temporary solution.Seal attic hatches, chimney gaps, lighting fixtures, and penetrations to prevent warm air escape.
• Proper Ventilation
• Attics should allow air intake at the eaves and exhaust through ridge vents to keep the roof deck cold.
• Insulation and R Values
• Pennsylvania code requires a minimum of R 49 in ceilings. Many older homes have significantly less, contributing to ice dams.
• Heat Cables and Heat Tape
• Heat cables can reduce ice buildup but do not solve the underlying insulation and ventilation problem.

Joyland Roofing Specializes in Ice Dam Removal

Emergency low pressure steaming can stop immediate damage, but long term prevention requires proper air sealing, insulation, and ventilation.

Investing in prevention protects you from costly interior damage and helps maintain your home’s structural integrity.

Local Expert Tip

Catching a leak early is the difference between a simple repair and a major restoration. Schedule a professional attic and roof assessment before the next storm hits.