An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms on the eave of a pitched roof, or around a sump drain on a flat roof. Due to inadequate ventilation and insulation, heat rising out of the building will melt snow on top of the building. As this melted snow trickles down the roof, it often refreezes at the edge or by the drain where it is colder. This ice accumulation prevents additional water from discharging. If this ice is not cleared, it causes the water to pool up until it moves under the shingles or roof membrane and can cause over $10K in water damages. On some flat roofs, the excessive load can ultimately cause the roof to collapse.

The biggest problem with ice dams is water damage. Melted snow that collects behind the ice dam is ultimately forced inside the building. This water can ultimately cause significant damage, including to floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture. It can also lead to mold formation that can be a dangerous health hazard. On flat-roofed buildings, water buildup can even cause roof collapse due to the excessive loading.

Unfortunately many ice dams go undetected until significant damage has already occurred. You should periodically examine your roof during snowy winters. If you see ice buildup—including icicles—on the eave or around the drains, it is likely that you have an ice dam.

Ice dam removal has been traditionally focused on removing all the ice and snow, which is very costly. This cost is largely due to major electricity consumption for heating cables. Steaming services demand specialized equipment, high insurance rates for the hazardous work, and training to prepare workers to do the job correctly.