Remove an ice dam? Start by deciding if you should
Many ice dams do no harm. The real question is whether water is getting inside, and that you can answer from the ground and the attic hatch.
Before you try to remove an ice dam, ask a simpler question: is it hurting anything? A dam with no leak inside is an annoyance. A dam with a wet ceiling is a problem that needs a pro today.
Two checks that take ten minutes
First, look at the eave from the yard. Is there a ridge of ice along the edge with water backed up behind it? Take a photo. Second, check inside. Look at the ceilings along the outside walls, then open the attic hatch and shine a light at the eave.
Wet insulation or a damp stain means water is getting past the shingles. Dry insulation and clean ceilings mean you have time.
If nothing is leaking
Leave it. Ice on a roof edge often melts on its own when the weather warms. Pulling snow off the lowest few feet with a long-handled rake, from the ground, can keep the dam from growing. That is all we would do.
Use the wait to look at the cause. Cold air in the attic and a sealed ceiling below are what stop dams for good. Our guide to what causes ice dams shows the signs.
If water is coming in
Contain it. Bucket under the drip, towels on the floor, furniture out of the way. Keep clear of any ceiling that bulges with trapped water.
Then call a roofing contractor and say clearly that it is an active leak. Crews that use steam can usually work faster on those calls.
What not to try, and why
Do not chip, hack or pry at the ice. It tears granules and shingle tabs with it. Do not climb up to spread salt or lay tubes of de-icer. You would be standing on ice at the edge of a slope, and we will not write steps for that.
The short version: ice that you can reach safely from the ground is rare. If you cannot reach it from the ground, it is not your job.
After the thaw
Once the ice is gone, have someone look at the underside of the roof deck near the eave. Dark, damp wood tells you the dam has been there before. That is the moment to fix air leaks and insulation, not the next January.
Frequently asked questions
Should I remove every ice dam I see?
No. If there is no leak and you can see no wet insulation, waiting is usually fine. Watch it, and check the ceilings inside.
What is the safest first step to remove an ice dam?
Do not start with the ice. Start by checking inside for water, then photograph the dam from the ground. That tells you whether to call a roofer.
Does pouring hot water on the dam work?
It tends to refreeze lower down and adds more ice. It also means working at the roof edge. We do not recommend it.
How do I stop the dam coming back?
Seal attic air leaks, keep the insulation continuous and make sure the roof deck stays cold. Removal alone does not do that.
Sources
What this page explains is based on these official sources. If you check one and it does not match what you read here, send it to us and the article gets corrected.
- NOAA / National Weather Service. Winter — National Weather Service safety hub
- NOAA / National Weather Service. What To Do If You're Caught in a Winter Storm