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Ice Dam Removal · Greater Boston
Ice Dam Removal That Doesn't Wreck Your Roof
We melt ice dams out of the eaves and gutters with low-pressure steam, so the leak stops and your shingles stay intact.
- 1Heat escapes into the attic and melts the snow from underneath.
- 2The melt water runs down and refreezes at the cold eave. That ridge of ice is the dam.
- 3New melt pools behind the dam, backs up under the shingles and leaks inside.
What an Ice Dam Is
Why Water Comes Through the Ceiling in January
Heat from the house leaks into the attic and warms the roof deck. The snow on the roof melts from underneath, runs down, and freezes again when it reaches the cold overhang at the eave. That ridge of ice is the dam.
Every melt after that gets trapped behind it. The water pools on the roof, backs up under the shingles and finds its way into the insulation, the walls and the ceiling. Shingles are built to shed water running downhill, not to hold back a pond.
Signs You Have an Ice Dam
- A thick ridge of ice along the edge of the roof
- Large icicles hanging from the gutters
- Water stains on ceilings near exterior walls
- Peeling paint or damp drywall at the top of a wall
- Gutters pulling away from the fascia under the weight of ice
- Water dripping around windows or from soffits
How We Remove It
- 1. Clear the snow above the dam so new melt stops feeding it.
- 2. Steam the dam out of the eaves and gutters with low-pressure steam, cutting channels so the water drains right away.
- 3. Open the gutters and downspouts so the next thaw has somewhere to go.
- 4. Tell you why it formed, with photos, and what would actually stop it coming back.
Winter Services
Snow & Ice Services in Greater Boston
Roof Snow Removal
Heavy, wet snow raked off the roof before the load becomes a problem, worked from the ground and from ladders so the shingles aren't damaged.
Learn more →Ice Dam Removal
Low-pressure steam that melts the dam out of the eaves and gutters without gouging the shingles. The fastest way to stop water coming through a ceiling.
Learn more →Gutter & Downspout Ice Clearing
Frozen gutters and blocked downspouts opened up so the next thaw drains away from the fascia instead of backing up under the shingles.
Driveway & Walkway Clearing
Driveways, steps and front walks cleared down to the surface, with the apron cut back open after the town plow goes by.
Salting & De-Icing
Salt and ice melt on driveways, walks and steps to keep them safe between storms and through a freeze-thaw cycle.
Commercial Lots & Sidewalks
Parking lots, aprons and sidewalks on a seasonal contract, cleared ahead of opening so your customers and staff can get in.
Family Owned Since 2003
Why Greater BostonHomeowners Call a Roofer for Snow & Ice
- Family owned and based at 29B Adams St., Burlington
- Roofers year round, so we know what snow and ice do to a roof
- Steam ice dam removal, not hammers and shovels on your shingles
- We find the cause, not just the ice: ventilation, insulation and flashing
- 5.0 on Google across 100+ reviews
- One call for the roof, the gutters and the ground
What Homeowners Say
★★★★★ 5.0, 100+ reviews on Google
“I would highly recommend Universal Roofing. Igor was super nice, very responsive and professional. He was able to answer all our questions and provide samples. We were able to schedule quickly and his crew got everything done in one day.”
Gina Ciaccio
“Universal Roofing Solutions did an outstanding job replacing our roof. The team was professional, responsive, and finished the work in just one day. They kept us updated throughout the process and cleaned the yard carefully after finishing. Highly recommended!”
Angela Martinez
“I contacted Universal Roofing Solutions through Yelp and received a quick response. The estimate was reasonable and the crew arrived early to complete the job the same day. They left the property clean and the roof looks great.”
Reese Jacobs
Snow & Ice Questions
How do I know if I have an ice dam?+
Look for a thick ridge of ice along the edge of the roof, icicles hanging from the gutters, or water stains on ceilings and the tops of exterior walls. Stains or drips inside mean the dam is already pushing water under the shingles.
Why steam instead of chipping or salting the ice?+
Chipping with a hammer or an axe tears and cracks the shingles, which causes the next leak. Salt and calcium chloride stain siding and kill plants below. Low-pressure steam melts the ice off the shingles without damaging them.
Should I wait for the ice to melt on its own?+
Not if water is coming inside. Every day the dam sits there, more water is held against the roof and pushed into the insulation and drywall. The repair inside almost always costs more than removing the ice.
How do I stop ice dams from coming back?+
Ice dams come from heat escaping into the attic. Balanced ridge and soffit ventilation, proper attic insulation and ice and water shield along the eaves stop them. We remove the ice now, inspect the roof and tell you which of those your house actually needs.
Can you repair the damage after the ice is gone?+
Yes. We're roofers year round, so we repair damaged shingles, flashing, fascia and gutters, and we'll document the damage if you're filing an insurance claim.
Snow piling up but no ice yet? Roof snow removal → · Find your town →
Snow or Ice on Your Roof in Greater Boston?
Call before the next thaw. An ice dam is cheaper to remove than the ceiling it ruins.