Pittsburg Ice Dam Removal Services
What is an "ice dam"?
The quick answer: Ice dams are barriers of ice on your roof that act like pretty much any other dam. They block water from running off your roof and also avoid your roofing products from doing their role. The solution is: Ice Dam Removal
Warm air escaping from your house rises and melts the snow, however not all at the exact same time or in the exact same areas. As the water from the melted snow comes in call with the snow that hasn’t thawed, it gets colder up until it ultimately freezes. That ice develops a wall (ice dam) that holds water which either ices up and also boosts the size of the dam or puddles up behind it. The heat is constantly escaping from your residence, nonetheless, it comes more quickly from vents, skylights as well as other locations that have much less insulation. This implies snow thaws in those locations prior to it thaws in locations that have much better insulation or are reduced on the roofing. A great deal of times this is around the gutter systems which is where numerous ice dams begin.
Tiles, shingles and also other roof covering products are created to aid water streaming off your house. As water backs up from the wall of ice, that water begins transferring under your roof shingles and begins searching for the most convenient method to transfer down. As your roofing materials aren’t created for this, they simply don’t stand a possibility. Water will win.
Using Steam for Ice Dam Removal on homes and businesses in Pittsburg and the surrounding areas
Some business use warmed pressure washing machines to eliminate ice dams, nonetheless, we do not advise this approach. Sending a stream of water at 4000 PSI to your tiles will cause damage. If it is used to remove ice dams as well as the user cuts through the ice and also into your roof shingles, they will certainly create openings in them. Many clients would certainly rather not handle obtaining a brand-new roofing system in addition to the damage currently created by the ice dam.
Ice Dam USA teams use steam to remove ice dams. Not only is it a lot more reliable and much faster, however it will not damage your roof.
Steam getting to 250-300 degrees is warm sufficient to puncture the ice rapidly, yet at less than 300 PSI, it will not harm your roof covering.
We are so confident in our process that Ice Dam USA backs up its work and is fully insured as well as bonded for every one of the jobs we finish.
Fully Bonded & Insured Ice Dam Removal
Getting rid Of Ice Dams from your roofing can be hazardous as well as may cause damages if you do not get expert aid. The skilled professionals from Ice Dam USA can remove your Roof Snow as well as Ice Dams from your roofing in a secure prompt way. We make use of true steamers, which is a reduced pressure machine burning at 400 degrees turning water into steam. This steam punctures the ice on your roofing and does not melt it using warm water like the other companies.
Climbing onto a snowy/icy roofing system in Pittsburgh in the middle of winter at any time of day or evening is risky. This is why we are fully bonded and also insured for your safety and security and ours. We take all of the required safety actions needed to stay secure on your roof. Having a trustworthy company working with your roofing system is very important to ensure you peace of mind with our before, during and after images and also our 22+ years of experience.
Why is water coming into my home?
If you live in Pittsburg, you understand exactly how our winter seasons can be and also just how much snow we can see come down. If you have snow on your roof as well as icicles coming down from your gutters, the water can be from an ice dam that is preventing the water from running from your residence. Generally, water will flow down your roofing products and into your gutters, yet something may be blocking that process. The only method to quit it is to get rid of the obstacle.
Hopping on your Pittsburgh roof at any time of the year can be dangerous, but much more so when it is cold and also damp. Placing a ladder up and then climbing to get to the roofing system during these problems is something that must be done by experts.
The employees Ice Dam USA are the professionals used to working in these conditions and are proficient at solving in these problems. We work throughout Pennsylvania. You can find our crews clearing ice dams from Erie to Philadelphia and all over in between. They are additionally among the most relied on companies in the USA at searching for and also eliminating ice dams from roofs. As soon as the ice dam is removed, the water will move as regular; outside of your house and also not into your home. Reach out to us at 1-855-GOT-ICEE (1-855-468-4233) to begin.
Can Ice Dam USA make the water stop running into my home or business in Pittsburgh?
Getting rid of the ice dam is the only way to stop the water. Ice Dam USA can not just assist, yet we do it promptly. On top of that, we do it safely so as not to damage your roofing materials.
We make use of steam to clear ice dams, unlike lots of other firms that use a heated pressure washers. This offers you rapid results with little to no damage to your roof covering.
Faster results suggests financial savings for you as well. It’s not all about the old proverb: “Time is money.” The truth is the quicker you can stop the water entering your home, the faster you can avoid added damage. If water continues to flood in, it can knock down ceilings, ruin walls and floor covering as well as transform electronics right into useless items. We ensure that we will certainly quit the water 30 minutes after we get there.
Ice Dam USA is one of Pittsburgh’s leading and most trusted Ice Dam Removal Companies. Ice Dam USA is totally bonded and also insured for all residential and commercial properties in Pittsburgh. We are a family owned company and also understand the troubles that can develop from water dripping into a home or business.
We do NOT utilize hot water pressure washers like most Ice Dam Removal companies do as these damage your roof covering and roof shingles when they blast 4000 PSI out of the tip of the pipe and do not heat as warm as a true steamer. Please see our frequently asked question to see the distinction between our True Steamer as well as our rivals “heated” pressure washers.
Our Service Area
Proud to Serve Pittsburgh and the Following Areas:
Abington
Allentown
Bensalem
Bethlehem
Bristol Township
Erie
Haverford
Lancaster
Lower Merion
Lower Paxton
Millcreek Township
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Reading
Scranton
Upper Darby
Frequently Asked Questions
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!
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.
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.
- 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 California 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.
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