Ice Dam Removal & Prevention in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Low-pressure steam melts channels through the ice so trapped water can drain, then frees the dam in sections without scraping the roof. Chipping with hammers, axes or ice picks tears asphalt shingles and punctures underlayment, and pressure washers drive water up under the laps. Steam is safe on asphalt shingles and standing seam metal alike, and we clear the gutter and downspout last so the meltwater has somewhere to go.

When a dam is backing water under the shingles, we clear the snow above it along the eaves so new meltwater stops feeding it. Our crew uses roof rakes and plastic shovels and leaves a thin layer behind so shingles aren't scraped. Coeur d'Alene roofs are designed for a 40 psf roof snow load, so we keep the work to the dam zone unless sagging or cracking points to a structural problem.

Most ice dams start indoors. Warm air escapes through recessed lights, bath fan housings, plumbing stacks and the attic hatch, warms the roof deck and melts snow from below. Michigan State University Extension notes that ice dams are solved by air sealing, insulation and ventilation working together. On every call we inspect the attic, seal the roof-side penetrations we find and show you where more insulation would help.

A cold, vented attic keeps the roof deck close to the outdoor temperature. The 2018 IRC (R806.2) calls for 1 square foot of net free vent area per 150 square feet of attic floor, or 1 per 300 when 40-50% of it is exhaust near the ridge. We balance a continuous ridge vent with soffit intake and add baffles so insulation keeps the 1 inch airspace R806.3 requires.

Ice and water shield is a self-adhering membrane (ASTM D1970) that seals around each nail, so water held back by a dam can't reach the deck. Membranes like Grace Ice & Water Shield are 40 mil thick and stay flexible down to -20F. We install it from the eave to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line under IRC R905.1.2, then in valleys and around chimneys.

Self-regulating roof heat cables (often called heat tape), such as nVent Raychem IceStop GM-2X at 12 watts per foot, keep a melt path open along the eaves, in gutters and down the downspouts. They suit problem spots like north-facing eaves, valleys over an entry and low-slope transitions. A cable can't fix a warm attic, so we pair it with ventilation and air sealing where the attic is the cause.

A 24-gauge standing seam roof sheds snow and ice in heavy sheets that tear off gutters, flatten shrubs and land on decks and walkways. Clamp-on snow guards fasten to the seams without piercing the panels and hold the snow until it melts in place. We lay out guard rows by roof pitch and panel length on new and existing standing seam metal roofs.