Ice dam removal in Toronto is winter emergency work, and it needs the right tool. Our low-pressure steam rig melts ice dams off eaves and valleys without chipping, cracking or stripping shingles. Crews work with fall-arrest gear, the phone is answered 24/7 all winter, and we note leak-risk areas for your roofer.
What Is an Ice Dam, and Why Is It a Problem?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms along the eaves of a roof. Heat escaping through the attic warms the upper roof deck and melts snow. That meltwater runs down to the colder overhang and refreezes. Over days, the ridge grows and traps a pool of water behind it. The water backs up under the shingles and leaks into the soffit, walls and ceilings.
Toronto winters, with their many freeze-thaw cycles, are ideal for ice dams, especially on older homes in The Annex, Leaside and North York with limited attic insulation, and on homes north of the city in Richmond Hill where winters run colder.
Why Steam Is the Right Method
The usual DIY fixes cause damage. Hammers and chisels crack shingles and gutters. Salt pucks stain roofs and kill plants below. Pressure washers strip granules and push water further under the shingles. Steam melts the ice gently at low pressure, cutting channels so trapped water can drain and then removing the dam itself.
What Is Included in Ice Dam Removal?
- Steam removal of ice dams on eaves and valleys
- Drainage channels cut to relieve water backup
- Gutter and downspout clearing where safe
- Icicle removal above walkways and entrances
- Photo notes on leak-risk and heat-loss areas
Safety on Winter Roofs
Snowy, icy roofs are dangerous. Our crews assess snow load, set ladders properly and use fall-arrest anchors and harnesses. If a roof is unsafe to stand on, we work from ladders and lifts instead.
When Should You Call?
- Icicles are thick and growing along the eaves
- A ridge of ice has formed at the roof edge
- Water stains appear on ceilings or exterior walls
- Water is dripping inside, which is an emergency
How Much Does Ice Dam Removal Cost?
Pricing
Ice dam removal is quoted by phone, per hour or per job, based on roof height, pitch, the length of eaves affected and ice thickness. We confirm the price before work starts.
Common Ice Dam Problems We Solve
Water stains on ceilings and walls
A brown stain near an exterior wall in mid-winter is often an ice dam leak. Opening drainage channels through the dam relieves the trapped water quickly.
Heavy icicles over entrances
Icicles hanging over doors, walkways and driveways are a safety hazard. We steam them off from the roof edge rather than knocking them down.
Frozen gutters and downspouts
Gutters packed with ice cannot drain, which makes dams worse and can pull gutters off the fascia. Steam clears them where safe access allows.
Ice in valleys and around skylights
Valleys and skylight curbs collect meltwater and refreeze. Steam channels let that water reach the gutter.
Repeat dams on the same eave
If the same section dams every year, it usually points to a specific heat leak, such as a poorly insulated bathroom ceiling, recessed lights or an attic hatch. We photograph the pattern for your roofer or insulation contractor.
Steam vs Hot Water vs Chipping
| Method | Effect on shingles | Effect on ice |
|---|---|---|
| Hammer or chisel | Cracks and breaks shingles and gutters | Removes chunks, leaves damage |
| Pressure washer (cold or hot) | Strips granules, drives water under tabs | Cuts ice but harms the roof |
| Low-pressure steam | Gentle, no impact | Melts ice cleanly and opens channels |
Steam is slower than brute force, but it is the only method that removes the dam without creating new leak points.
Preventing the Next Ice Dam
Ice dams are a symptom. The cause is warm air reaching the roof deck. Air-sealing the attic floor, adding insulation and improving roof ventilation keep the roof cold and stop the melt-freeze cycle. Clearing heavy snow from the lower roof with a roof rake after big storms also helps. We note what we see so you can fix the root cause in the warmer months.
What Not to Do About an Ice Dam
- Do not climb onto an icy roof without fall protection.
- Do not chip ice with hammers, axes or chisels.
- Do not use rock salt on the roof; it stains shingles and kills plants below.
- Do not use a pressure washer or open flame.
- Do pull snow off the lower roof with a roof rake from the ground after heavy storms, and call for steam removal if a dam has already formed.
Ice Dam Removal Across the GTA
Our GTA exterior cleaning crews steam ice dams across Toronto Central, in North York, and in colder Richmond Hill and Markham neighbourhoods. In warmer months, the same roofs often need our roof cleaning soft wash, and siding can be refreshed with house washing or soft washing.
