That Ice Ridge Is Already Costing You

A ridge of ice at the roof's edge that traps meltwater behind it. The trapped water backs up under the shingles and leaks into the house. Wausau's freeze-thaw cycles make them a near-yearly event.

Hammers and picks damage shingles, and roof work in winter is genuinely dangerous. Salt and chemicals corrode flashing and kill landscaping below. Steam is the safe professional method.

Almost always attic heat loss. Warm air escaping into the attic melts snow from underneath while the eave stays frozen. Insulation, air sealing, and ventilation differences explain it.

Usually, yes. Once steam cuts drainage channels through the dam, trapped water flows out instead of inward. Interior drying and repair is a separate step.

They can manage small problem spots, but they're a bandage on the real issue. Fixing attic heat loss prevents dams across the whole roof instead of melting channels in one place.

After heavy snowfalls, clearing the lower few feet and valleys helps a lot. Full-roof clearing matters most on low-slope roofs carrying heavy loads. When in doubt, a pro with a roof rake or blower is safer than a ladder.

The resulting water damage often is, but the removal itself usually isn't. Document everything with photos either way, and check your specific policy.