What is an ice dam and why does it matter?
An ice dam forms when heat escaping from your living space warms the roof deck and melts snow near the ridge. That meltwater runs down toward the eaves, which stay cold because they extend beyond the heated portion of the house. The water refreezes at the eave, building up a ridge of ice that traps more meltwater behind it.
The water pooling behind the dam has nowhere to go except under your shingles, into the roof deck, and eventually into your walls and ceilings. Left unaddressed, ice dams cause rot, mold, damaged insulation, and interior water damage that can cost far more to repair than the removal itself.
How we remove ice dams
SmartStyle uses professional steam equipment to remove ice dams safely and without damaging your roof. Steam is the only method that melts ice quickly and thoroughly without the risks that come with chipping, salting, or using low-pressure water.
We direct hot steam along the dam to melt it from the bottom up, opening drainage channels so water can run off the roof rather than pooling behind the ice. We work carefully around flashing, shingles, and gutters so the removal process does not create a new problem while solving the original one.
Why not just use salt or ice melt products?
Salt and calcium chloride products are common DIY remedies. They work slowly, leave residue on shingles and gutters, and can accelerate corrosion on metal components. They also do not address the full ice dam structure and often create uneven melt channels rather than clearing the dam completely.
Chipping the ice off manually is the most damaging approach. Asphalt shingles are brittle in cold weather and can crack or dislodge with even moderate impact. Steam avoids all of that, working with the ice rather than against it.
When should you call us?
Do not wait until you see water coming through the ceiling. By that point water has already penetrated the roof assembly. Call us when you notice any of the following: large icicles forming at the eave, visible ice buildup along the lower edge of the roof, water staining on interior walls or ceilings near an exterior wall, or gutters pulling away from the fascia under ice weight.
The sooner the dam is removed, the less water infiltration occurs. During extended cold stretches new ice can form within days of removal. We can also discuss heat tape installation as a long-term preventative measure after we clear the current dam.
Service area
We provide ice dam removal throughout Northern Indiana including South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury and surrounding communities in St. Joseph, Elkhart and LaGrange counties.
Call us or fill out the form and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.