Emergency Ice Dam Removal

No, you need an ice dam removal specialist, not a roofer. While many homeowners call roofing companies when they have ice dam leaks, most roofers don't have proper steaming equipment for safe ice dam removal. Roofers typically resort to breaking up ice manually with hammers, chisels, or hatchets, which can seriously damage your roof, shingles, and gutters. S&K specializes exclusively in ice dam removal using safe low-pressure steam technology. We remove ice completely without causing any damage to your roofing system. Once the ice dam is removed, your roofer can then inspect for any underlying roof damage if needed.

We offer same-day emergency service throughout Western New York. In most cases, we can stop active leaks within 20 minutes of identifying the source. The sooner you call us after noticing an ice dam or leak, the faster we can prevent additional water damage to your home.

Not when done correctly with professional steam equipment! S&K uses ONLY low-pressure steam to melt ice. We never use hammers, chisels, axes, or other tools that can damage shingles, punch holes in your roof, or dent gutters. Our steam method is the safest and most effective way to remove ice dams completely without harming your roofing system.

No, ice dams will not resolve themselves in a safe or timely manner. While an ice dam may eventually melt when temperatures rise significantly, waiting for this to happen puts your home at serious risk. During the days or weeks it takes for natural melting, water continues backing up behind the ice dam and can cause extensive damage to your roof, insulation, walls, and ceilings. The longer an ice dam remains on your roof, the more water damage accumulates inside your home. Professional steam removal eliminates the ice dam quickly and stops the damage immediately, rather than hoping for a warm spell that may not come for weeks.

While Mother Nature will eventually melt ice dams when temperatures warm up, she doesn't care about the damage happening to your home in the meantime. Waiting for natural melting means accepting days or weeks of ongoing water infiltration, ceiling stains, damaged drywall, ruined insulation, and potential mold growth. In Western New York winters, sustained warm weather may not arrive for weeks after an ice dam forms. By the time nature melts the ice dam, you could be facing thousands of dollars in interior water damage that far exceeds the cost of professional ice dam removal. Don't gamble with your home - professional steam removal stops the damage today, not eventually.

We provide emergency ice dam removal services throughout Buffalo and all of Western New York, including Erie County, Niagara County, and surrounding areas. Our service area includes Buffalo, Amherst, Cheektowaga, Orchard Park, Lancaster, West Seneca, Hamburg, Clarence, Williamsville, East Aurora, Depew, Tonawanda, Lockport, and the Southern Tier extending down to Mayville and Cuba. We also serve Central New York, including Syracuse and surrounding communities, as well as the Capital District including Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Lake George, and surrounding areas. If you're experiencing an ice dam emergency in Western, Central, or Capital District New York, we can help!

Most homeowners insurance policies cover emergency ice dam removal services, especially when there's active water damage or risk of structural damage. We provide detailed documentation and receipts that you can submit with your insurance claim. Contact your insurance provider to verify your coverage, and let us know if you need any specific documentation for your claim. Most insurance companies will ONLY cover true steam ice dam removal.

The time required depends on the size and severity of the ice dam. Small ice dams can often be removed in 2-4 hours, while larger or more severe cases may take 5+ hours. We can typically stop active leaks within 20 minutes of identifying the source. Our low-pressure steam equipment works much faster than manual methods, saving you time and money.

Ice dams form when heat escaping from your home melts snow on your roof. The melted water runs down to the cold gutters and eaves where it refreezes, creating a dam. As more water backs up behind this ice dam, it can seep under shingles and into your home. While poor insulation and ventilation often contribute to ice dam formation, the immediate solution when ice dams occur is professional removal to prevent water damage.

We strongly advise against DIY ice dam removal. Working on a snow and ice-covered roof is extremely dangerous, and using improper tools or techniques can cause thousands of dollars in roof damage. Methods like using salt, hot water, or roof rakes on existing ice dams are ineffective and potentially harmful. Professional steam removal is the only safe and effective method that won't damage your roof.

Long-term ice dam prevention involves improving attic insulation and ventilation to reduce heat loss through your roof. These improvements should be made before winter, not during an active ice dam situation. In the immediate term, removing snow from your roof after heavy snowfall can help prevent ice dams. However, once an ice dam forms, professional steam removal is necessary to protect your home.

Low-pressure steam is the safest, fastest, and most effective method for ice dam removal. Unlike manual tools (hammers, chisels) that damage roofs, or hot water pressure washers that soak your roof with dangerous amounts of water, our steam equipment melts ice completely down to bare shingles without causing any damage. Steam removal ensures the ice dam won't immediately reform, and it's the only method recommended by roofing professionals.