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Ice Dams Revisited: The Mid-Winter Roof Rescue

We warned you about the "Menace on the Roof"—the ice dam. We talked about cleaning gutters and insulating attics to prevent them.But now, it’s mid-January. The snow is piled high, the temperatures have been fluctuating between freezing nights and sunny days, and for many Utah homeowners, the dam has already formed. You see the massive icicles hanging like stalactites from your gutters. You might even see a new water stain growing on your bedroom ceiling.Prevention time is over. Now, it’s time for a rescue mission.If you have an active ice dam, the actions you take in the next 24 hours can save your roof—or destroy it. Here is your guide to safely handling a mid-winter ice emergency.1. Recognizing the Enemy (It’s Not Just Icicles)We all love the look of icicles glistening in the winter sun, but they are often the tip of the iceberg—literally.The Anatomy of a Dam: An ice dam happens when heat escapes from your home, melts the snow on your roof, and the water runs down to the cold eaves where it refreezes.The Danger: As this ice builds up, it forms a solid ridge. The melting snow behind it has nowhere to go. It pools up, backs under your shingles, and leaks directly into your attic, insulation, and walls.The Interior Signs: You might not see the leak immediately. Look for:New, faint yellow or brown circles on ceilings.Water running down the inside of window frames.Peeling paint or wet drywall near the ceiling line on exterior walls.2. The "Hacking" Hazard: What NOT To DoWhen homeowners see a wall of ice destroying their gutters, the instinct is to grab a ladder and a hammer. Stop. This is dangerous for you and fatal for your roof.No Axes, Hammers, or Picks: Hacking at the ice almost guarantees you will damage the roof. One slip of the hammer can shatter frozen shingles or puncture the waterproof underlayment. You might remove the ice, but you’ll replace it with a permanent hole in your roof.No Rock Salt: Throwing handfuls of rock salt on your roof is a bad idea. Salt is corrosive. It will damage your shingles, rust your metal gutters and nails, and kill the plants below when the salty water finally drains off.Stay Off the Ladder: Putting a ladder on an icy, snow-packed driveway to climb onto an icy, snow-packed roof is a recipe for a hospital visit. Do not risk your life for your gutters.3. The Professional Solution: Steam vs. ChippingIf the dam is causing interior leaking, it needs to be removed immediately. But there is a right way and a wrong way.The Wrong Way (Pressure Washers): Some companies use high-pressure hot water washers. This is dangerous. The high pressure can blast the granules off your shingles (stripping their protection) and force water under the shingles, making the leak worse.The Right Way (Ice Steaming): This is the method Apex Restoration uses. We use specialized steamers that produce low-pressure steam at high temperatures.How it works: The steam gently cuts through the ice like a hot knife through butter. It melts the ice dam away without ever physically striking the shingles or using high pressure. It is the only safe way to remove an active dam without damaging the roofing material.4. Managing the Interior LeakIf water is already coming inside:Catch It: Poke a small hole in the center of the ceiling bulge with a screwdriver to let the water drain into a bucket. This relieves pressure and prevents the ceiling drywall from collapsing.Dry It: Call Apex. Wet insulation loses its R-value (warmth) and breeds mold quickly. We can extract the water, remove the wet insulation, and dry the structure before rot sets in.Don't Wait for the CollapseAn ice dam is heavy. It stresses your gutters and your roof structure. If you see the signs of water intrusion, don't wait for a warm day.Apex Restoration offers professional ice dam removal and water damage mitigation. We can safely steam the ice off your roof and dry out your attic. Call us at (801) 513-1137.