Cedar Rapids Ice Dam Removal
Stop melting snow from coming into your homeWhy is water coming into my home? Can you help?
Residents of Cedar Rapids know how our winters can be and how much snow we can see come down.
Icicles can be beautiful and make a home's appearance unique. However, if you have snow on your roof and icicles coming down from your gutters, the water can actually be from an ice dam that is preventing the water from the melting snow from running into your gutters and out of the drains. If that water continues to back up, it will go under your roofing materials and down the path of least resistance. Ultimately, it can end up in your ceilings which will be damaged and may fall and ruin your personal items. The only way to stop it is to remove the obstacle which is an ice dam.
Getting on your Cedar Rapids roof any time of the year can be dangerous, but even more so when it is cold and wet. Putting a ladder up and then climbing to reach the roof during these conditions is something that should be done by professionals.
The Ice Dam Crew are those professionals. After working on thousands of homes, we are skilled at operating in these conditions. We work all over Cedar Rapids and the surrounding areas. We are also one of the most trusted companies in the USA at finding and removing ice dams from roofs. Once the ice dam is removed, the water will flow as normal; outside of your home and not into your home. Reach out to us at 1-855-GOT-ICEE (1-855-468-4233) to get started.
Icicles can be beautiful and make a home's appearance unique. However, if you have snow on your roof and icicles coming down from your gutters, the water can actually be from an ice dam that is preventing the water from the melting snow from running into your gutters and out of the drains. If that water continues to back up, it will go under your roofing materials and down the path of least resistance. Ultimately, it can end up in your ceilings which will be damaged and may fall and ruin your personal items. The only way to stop it is to remove the obstacle which is an ice dam.
Getting on your Cedar Rapids roof any time of the year can be dangerous, but even more so when it is cold and wet. Putting a ladder up and then climbing to reach the roof during these conditions is something that should be done by professionals.
The Ice Dam Crew are those professionals. After working on thousands of homes, we are skilled at operating in these conditions. We work all over Cedar Rapids and the surrounding areas. We are also one of the most trusted companies in the USA at finding and removing ice dams from roofs. Once the ice dam is removed, the water will flow as normal; outside of your home and not into your home. Reach out to us at 1-855-GOT-ICEE (1-855-468-4233) to get started.
What is an "ice dam" anyway?
The short answer: Ice dams are walls of ice on your roof that act like any other dam. They block water from going down your roof which prevents your roofing materials from doing their job properly.
Heat escaping from your home rises and melts the snow, but not all at the same time or in the same areas. As the water from the melted snow comes in contact with the snow that hasn’t melted, it gets colder and colder until it eventually freezes. That ice builds up and creates a wall (ice dam) that holds water which either freezes and increases the size of the wall or it builds up behind it forming a puddle. The heat is always released from your home, however, it comes more rapidly from vents, skylights and other areas that have less insulation. This means snow melts in those areas before it melts in areas that have better insulation or are lower on the roof. Often, this is near the gutters which is where many ice dams begin.
Shingles and other roofing materials are designed to help water flow off your home. As water backs up from the ice dam, it starts moving underneath your shingles and starts looking for the easiest way to move down. As your roofing materials aren’t designed for this, they simply don’t stand a chance. Water will always find a way down and that can mean into your home.
Heat escaping from your home rises and melts the snow, but not all at the same time or in the same areas. As the water from the melted snow comes in contact with the snow that hasn’t melted, it gets colder and colder until it eventually freezes. That ice builds up and creates a wall (ice dam) that holds water which either freezes and increases the size of the wall or it builds up behind it forming a puddle. The heat is always released from your home, however, it comes more rapidly from vents, skylights and other areas that have less insulation. This means snow melts in those areas before it melts in areas that have better insulation or are lower on the roof. Often, this is near the gutters which is where many ice dams begin.
Shingles and other roofing materials are designed to help water flow off your home. As water backs up from the ice dam, it starts moving underneath your shingles and starts looking for the easiest way to move down. As your roofing materials aren’t designed for this, they simply don’t stand a chance. Water will always find a way down and that can mean into your home.
Email us about your Ice Dams!
Can you make the water stop running into my home in Cedar Rapids?
Removing the ice dam from your home or business is the only way to allow the water to flow down your roof. Ice Dam Crew can not only help, but we do it quickly. We even guarantee to stop the water from flowing into your home within 30 minutes of beginning work. On top of that, we do it safely so as not to damage your roofing materials.
We use steam to clear ice dams, unlike many other companies that use a heated pressure washer. This gives you fast results with little to no damage to your roof.
Faster results means savings for you as well. It's not all about the old adage: "Time is money." The reality is the faster you can stop the water running into your home, the faster you can stop additional damage. If water continues to flood in, it can collapse ceilings, ruin walls and flooring and turn electronics into useless items.
Ice Dam Crew is not only one of Cedar Rapids’ leading and most trusted Ice Dam Removal Companies, but homeowners and companies across the United States trust us to for their ice dam removals. The Ice Dam Crew is fully bonded and Insured for all residential and commercial properties. We are a family owned company and understand the problems that can arise from water leaking into a home or business.
We do NOT use hot water pressure washers like many Ice Dam Removal companies do. Those pressure washers can damage your roof and shingles when they blast 4000 PSI out of the tip of the hose and do not burn as hot as a true custom steamer. Please see our FAQ's page to see the difference between our True Steamer and our competitors hot water pressure washer.
We use steam to clear ice dams, unlike many other companies that use a heated pressure washer. This gives you fast results with little to no damage to your roof.
Faster results means savings for you as well. It's not all about the old adage: "Time is money." The reality is the faster you can stop the water running into your home, the faster you can stop additional damage. If water continues to flood in, it can collapse ceilings, ruin walls and flooring and turn electronics into useless items.
Ice Dam Crew is not only one of Cedar Rapids’ leading and most trusted Ice Dam Removal Companies, but homeowners and companies across the United States trust us to for their ice dam removals. The Ice Dam Crew is fully bonded and Insured for all residential and commercial properties. We are a family owned company and understand the problems that can arise from water leaking into a home or business.
We do NOT use hot water pressure washers like many Ice Dam Removal companies do. Those pressure washers can damage your roof and shingles when they blast 4000 PSI out of the tip of the hose and do not burn as hot as a true custom steamer. Please see our FAQ's page to see the difference between our True Steamer and our competitors hot water pressure washer.
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Using Steam for Ice Dam Removal on Cedar Rapids homes and businesses
Some companies use heated pressure washers to remove ice dams, however, we do not recommend this method. Sending a stream of water at 4000 PSI to your shingles will cause damage. If it is used to remove ice dams and the operator cuts through the ice and into your shingles, they will cut holes in them. Most customers would rather not deal with getting a new roof on top of the damage already caused by the ice dam.
Ice Dam Crew teams only use steam to remove ice dams. Not only is it more effective and faster, but it will not damage your roofing.
Steam reaching 250-300 degrees is hot enough to cut through the ice quickly, yet at less than 300 PSI, it will not damage your roof.
We are so confident in our process that Ice Dam Crew stands behind its work and is fully licensed and bonded for all of the work we complete.
Ice Dam Crew teams only use steam to remove ice dams. Not only is it more effective and faster, but it will not damage your roofing.
Steam reaching 250-300 degrees is hot enough to cut through the ice quickly, yet at less than 300 PSI, it will not damage your roof.
We are so confident in our process that Ice Dam Crew stands behind its work and is fully licensed and bonded for all of the work we complete.
Fully Bonded & Insured Ice Dam Removal
Removing Ice Dams from your roof can be dangerous and may cause damage if you do not get professional help. The trained professionals from The Ice Dam Crew can remove your Roof Snow and Ice Dams from your roof in a safe timely manner. We use true steamers, this means it is a low pressure machine burning at 400 degrees. This steam cuts through the ice on your roof and does not melt it using a hot water pressure washer like the other guys.
Climbing onto a snowy/icy roof in Cedar Rapids in the middle of winter any time of day or night is dangerous. This is why we want to ensure you that we are fully bonded and insured for your safety and ours. We take all of the required safety measures needed to stay safe on your roof. Having a trustworthy company working on your roof is important so that is why we want to give you piece of mind with our before during and after photos and our 22+ years of experience.
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Climbing onto a snowy/icy roof in Cedar Rapids in the middle of winter any time of day or night is dangerous. This is why we want to ensure you that we are fully bonded and insured for your safety and ours. We take all of the required safety measures needed to stay safe on your roof. Having a trustworthy company working on your roof is important so that is why we want to give you piece of mind with our before during and after photos and our 22+ years of experience.
Our Service Area
Proud to Serve The Following Areas:
- Ames
- Ankeny
- Cedar Rapids
- Council Bluffs
- Davenport
- Des Moines
- Dubuque
- Iowa City
- Marion
- Sioux City
- Urbandale
- Waterloo
- West Des Moines
- All areas in between
If you are experiencing issues with ice dams beyond those areas, just give us a call! We work throughout the United States and we can take care of your ice dams and the problems they are causing you.
Let us know how we can help!
Frequently Asked Questions about Ice Dam Removal in Cedar Rapids
There are many reasons why The Ice Dam Crew uses a steamer to remove your ice dams.
1. A steamer is low pressure & a pressure washer is high pressure. This means we will not cut into your roof using a steamer and cause damage like a pressure washer would.
2. Steamers get much hotter than a pressure washer. Pressure washers used pressure to cut through the ice. This means we get done with the job faster!
3. Less water is used with a steamer so this means you save $$$ on your water bill!
1. A steamer is low pressure & a pressure washer is high pressure. This means we will not cut into your roof using a steamer and cause damage like a pressure washer would.
2. Steamers get much hotter than a pressure washer. Pressure washers used pressure to cut through the ice. This means we get done with the job faster!
3. Less water is used with a steamer so this means you save $$$ on your water bill!
There are two main reasons Ice dams form.
Reason one is there is not enough insulation in your attic. This may cause your roof to heat up. When it is cold outside and your roof heats up this causes the bottom layer of snow to melt, once the running water reaches the overhang of your roof (Which does not heat up) it will freeze on the edge. Over time the ice will keep building up and then the water will have no place to go besides into your home and down your walls.
The second reason Ice Dams form is from having too much snow on your roof. Having a lot much snow on your roof covers your roof vents which release heat from your roof. When the snow is over your vents it acts as insulation on top of your roof keeping the heat in. In this case, it acts the same way as not having enough insulation, it will heat up your roof and cause the water to freeze on the edge of your roof. Clearing the snow off of your roof after each snowfall is very beneficial in preventing ice dams.
Reason one is there is not enough insulation in your attic. This may cause your roof to heat up. When it is cold outside and your roof heats up this causes the bottom layer of snow to melt, once the running water reaches the overhang of your roof (Which does not heat up) it will freeze on the edge. Over time the ice will keep building up and then the water will have no place to go besides into your home and down your walls.
The second reason Ice Dams form is from having too much snow on your roof. Having a lot much snow on your roof covers your roof vents which release heat from your roof. When the snow is over your vents it acts as insulation on top of your roof keeping the heat in. In this case, it acts the same way as not having enough insulation, it will heat up your roof and cause the water to freeze on the edge of your roof. Clearing the snow off of your roof after each snowfall is very beneficial in preventing ice dams.
Preventing Ice Dams is much easier and more cost effective than needing to remove ice dams from your roof and possibly needing to do renovations from water damage.
Keeping the snow off of your roof is the best thing to do to for your roof when preventing Ice dams. How can ice dams form when there is no water on your roof to cause them?
Here are a few tips when removing the snow from your roof.
Uncomfortable with this? If you need to hire a professional to remove the snow and ice from your roof be sure to find the right company. Check to make sure they are bonded and insured and when they are on your roof don't be afraid to ask questions to ensure safety procedures.
Keeping the snow off of your roof is the best thing to do to for your roof when preventing Ice dams. How can ice dams form when there is no water on your roof to cause them?
Here are a few tips when removing the snow from your roof.
- If you choose to do it yourself always have safety gear when climbing onto your roof. Use chains for your boots, harness yourself so you do not fall, use a plastic shovel and not one with a metal tip and always shovel towards the ground so you do not tear shingles off of your roof.
- When using a snow rake to remove snow from your roof be sure to scrape all the way down to your shingles. Do not only remove most of the snow. When this happens the snow rake actually packs down the snow to your roof and this packed down snow turns to ice and in most cases goes up your roof much further. In most cases when this happens ice dams form the entire length of the area you shovel.
Uncomfortable with this? If you need to hire a professional to remove the snow and ice from your roof be sure to find the right company. Check to make sure they are bonded and insured and when they are on your roof don't be afraid to ask questions to ensure safety procedures.
Removing Minnesota ice dams in a safe way does require a professional. There is many steps in keeping yourself and your roof safe from damage. Ice Dam Removal companies charge by the hour for their services.
Bonded and insured companies typically charge $300-$500 per hour. Using an Insured company is important because standing on an icy roof in the middle of winter is risky. If someone falls and gets hurt or an ice chunk falls off of your roof and damages something but you didn't make sure they were insured you could potentially be sued or have to pay out of pocket to repair any damages.
Another factor in removing ice dams in an efficient way is using the correct equipment. The Ice Dam Crew uses true low pressure steamers and not hot water pressure washers. When you hire a company you can easily find out what kind of machine they are using. All you need to do is ask to see their wand. If it has a trigger they are using a hot water pressure washer. If it does not have a trigger it is a true steamer. Hot water pressure washers do not burn as hot as a true steamer and they create much more damage because they have such a high PSI. In the case that this happens tell them to leave and hire a company with a true steamer.
Bonded and insured companies typically charge $300-$500 per hour. Using an Insured company is important because standing on an icy roof in the middle of winter is risky. If someone falls and gets hurt or an ice chunk falls off of your roof and damages something but you didn't make sure they were insured you could potentially be sued or have to pay out of pocket to repair any damages.
Another factor in removing ice dams in an efficient way is using the correct equipment. The Ice Dam Crew uses true low pressure steamers and not hot water pressure washers. When you hire a company you can easily find out what kind of machine they are using. All you need to do is ask to see their wand. If it has a trigger they are using a hot water pressure washer. If it does not have a trigger it is a true steamer. Hot water pressure washers do not burn as hot as a true steamer and they create much more damage because they have such a high PSI. In the case that this happens tell them to leave and hire a company with a true steamer.
Getting your Ice Dams removed is as easy! Simply call us at 1-855-468-4233, give us some quick information about your location and property, schedule a date for us to remove your ice dam and you're done! You have just saved yourself possibly thousands by being proactive and contacting us, Ice Dam USA
