Winter brings a particular set of roof problems. Heavy snow sits on the roof for weeks, and ridges of ice build up along the edges, forcing water to places it was never meant to go.
Ice Dam and Snow Removal in Toronto
Goldstar clears ice dams and excess snow from residential roofs, then deals with any damage the ice has caused. Just as importantly, we look at why the ice formed so the problem is less likely to return next winter.
Clearing a frozen roof safely takes the right equipment and a careful approach. Chipping at ice with hammers or shovels easily tears shingles and damages eavestroughs, so we avoid methods that trade one problem for another.
How Ice Dams Form
An ice dam starts with heat. Warm air escaping from the house into the roof space warms the upper part of the roof, and the snow there begins to melt even on cold days.
The meltwater runs down until it reaches the eaves, which overhang the walls and stay much colder. There it refreezes into a growing ridge of ice. Water building up behind that ridge is pushed back under the shingles and into the house.
The result can be damp ceilings, stained walls, wet insulation and, if left unchecked, rot in the roof deck and framing.
What Our Service Includes
- Steaming away ice dams without damaging the shingles beneath
- Raking heavy snow off the roof surface and the overhang at the edge
- Opening up frozen or clogged eavestroughs and downspouts so meltwater can drain
- Tracing and repairing leaks that the ice has caused inside
Steam softens and releases the ice gently, which is far kinder to the roof covering than mechanical chipping.
Working on a snowy or icy roof is hazardous, so we would always advise against homeowners climbing up themselves. A roof rake used from the ground can help with light snow, but anything more is best left to us.
Fixing the Underlying Cause
Removing ice treats the symptom. The long-term cure is to keep the roof deck cold and evenly ventilated so snow does not melt unevenly in the first place.
That usually means improving airflow at the eaves, adding insulation to the roof space and, when the roof is being renewed, fitting ice-and-water membrane along the eaves in line with building code requirements. Those measures are most easily combined with a roof replacement.
Eavestroughs and Winter Ice
Blocked eavestroughs make ice problems worse, because trapped leaves and needles hold water that freezes at the roof edge. Keeping troughs clear through autumn helps a great deal, and fitting eavestrough guards reduces the build-up of debris in the first place.
If ice has already caused leaks or lifted shingles, our roof repair service will put the damage right once the roof is clear.
Call Us About Ice or Snow on Your Roof
If ice is building along your eaves or snow is piling up on the roof of your home in Toronto, ring the Goldstar team on (437) 243 1908. We will clear the roof safely and advise on stopping ice dams from coming back.
