Massachusetts #1 Ice Dam Removal Company
Ice Dam Removal
Ice dams clogging your roof’s drainage? Not anymore when you have B.A. Harris- Massachusetts’ Number One ice dam removal and prevention company- by your side.
- Professional Air Sealing Services To Prevent Leaks
- Preventative High-Performance Insulation Delivery
- Rapid Response During Emergencies
- Licensed, Certified, And Insured
- Timely And Affordable Services
What Are Ice Dams?
Ice dams are a great winter inconvenience to a rooftop’s drainage, formed along the eaves of roofs that prevent water from running off.
Ice dams are formed when hot air from a poorly insulated attic escapes and cools along the lower edges of a roof, creating icicles and ridges. When temperatures rise, these ridges melt and become a hazard to those living inside. Water from melting ice dams can also seep along the walls and ceilings, weakening their structural integrity. Additionally, such ice dams clog the drainage of water from the rooftops, further causing damage to the roof. If you have ice dams already threatening your peace of mind, we urge you to take immediate action before any damage takes place. Call B.A. Harris today not only to get ice dams removed, but also prevented from forming again.
How Are Ice Dams Formed?
When you know how ice dams are formed in the first place, you’d know how to be better prepared to prevent them.
B.A. Harris LLC offers multiple benefits to its expert snow removal services. From same-day service, fast emergency responses, snow removal after a storm or weather damage, to seasonal roof inspections and compliance with local building codes, we handle it all. Additionally, we offer these benefits to the ones we are already proud of listing:
Air Leaks
Air leaks are the number one cause of ice dam formation in Massachusetts. When hot air escapes from your attic and cools along the lower, cooler eaves of the rooftop, ice dams are formed.
Poor Insulation
Ice dams are also formed due to poor insulation, especially around the pipes in the attic. When pipes have low thermal resistance or R-value, there’s unnecessary heat transfer, which results in hot air escaping and cooling along the lower part of the rooftop, forming ice dams. You also probably have wet insulation due to previous ice melts, which adds on to the problem. Wet insulation is compressed and has a low R-value. Even after the snow melts in the Spring and the insulation dries up, it never recovers its original thermal resistance.
Leaky Ceiling
A ceiling damaged by previous melting ice dams is a leaky ceiling, unable to hold the water seepage from melting snow when the warmth of Spring first greets snowy Massachusetts rooftops.
Stained, Spotted Drywall or Peeling Paint
Stained, spotted drywall with peeling paint is a poor absorber of moisture in the house, likely caused by melting ice dams. You wouldn’t want the walls holding up your roof to become weak from seeping water from melting ice dams.
We Don’t Just Remove Ice Dams; We Prevent Them
B.A. Harris has the expertise and the know-how in not just ice dam removal, but also prevention so that you can sleep peacefully throughout winters with the roof above your head standing safe.
While ice dam removal is a tricky game in and of itself, ice dam prevention is a different ball game altogether. Luckily for you, we are experts in both. We remove ice dams from your roof without tarnishing its structural integrity by using specialized tools and equipment. On the other hand, we prevent future ice dam formation by undertaking the following:
Sealing attic air leaks
Since air leaks from attics are the major culprit behind ice dam formation, sealing them off prevents most of the ice dam formation.
Using proper insulation
By making the insulation around attic pipes sturdy, our professionals ensure that unnecessary heat transfer does not occur
Using insulation with high R-value
High thermal resistance or R-value prevents heat loss, thereby preventing hot air from escaping and forming ice dams along the eaves.
Installing ice and water shield
Installing a protective ice and water membrane along the eaves prevents ice dam formation
Our Ice Dam Removal Process
At B.A. Harris, our ice dam removal process is methodical, systematic, and stress-free from start to finish. Here’s how we go about it:
While thick layers of snow on your roof might look picture-postcard perfect, the implications are far less than so. Not only does your house suffer damage to its structural integrity, it also loses its property value. Some more reasons why you should invest in recurring/seasonal snow removal services are:
Step 1:
On site Assessment
As soon as you make your call, our rapid emergency response services kick into action, and we reach your site ASAP. When we do, we assess buildup, roof pitch, preexisting leaks and damages to determine the safest and most effective modus operandi for ice dam removal.
Step 2:
Rooftop Snow Removal
Using specialized tools and equipment, we remove accumulated snow from the rooftop without damaging a single shingle. We start clearing snow from the edges, working our way toward the center to maintain equal weight distribution.
Step 3:
Ice Dam Removal
We use specialized equipment specifically for ice dam removal, maintaining safety and efficiency. We make sure that we do not damage the roof while melting them through steam.
Step 4:
Final Inspection
After clearing the snow and ice, we ensure that everything is safe and proper. This includes not just the roof, but also the surrounding property, such as the walkways, driveway, and gutters.
Step 5:
Prevention Recommendations
We offer additional services, such as insulation maintenance, air leak plugging, and air & water membrane installation to prevent future ice dam formation.
Happy Clients, Positive Reviews
Our happy clients are our biggest achievement. Here’s what they have to say about our ice dam removal services.
Have Questions?
Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our ice dam removal company.
How do you remove the ice dams?
We use low-pressure high-temperature steam. It is the safest and most effective method available. Unlike hammers or ice picks, steam melts the ice without risking structural damage to your shingles or gutters.
How much does ice dam removal cost?
Pricing is typically based on an hourly rate because every roof is different. Factors include the thickness of the ice, the height of the roof, and the total linear footage. Contact us for a quick estimate based on your specific situation.
Do I need to be home while you work?
Not necessarily! As long as we have access to an outdoor water spigot that is turned on, we can complete the job. We’ll provide a full update and photos of the finished work once we’re done.
Will the steam damage my roof or gutters?
Actually, it’s the opposite. Steam is the only method recommended by roofing professionals. Because it uses high heat rather than high pressure, it gently melts the ice without the blunt force trauma that causes leaks or shingle loss.
How soon can you get here?
We prioritize emergency leaks first. During peak winter storms, our calendar fills up fast, so we recommend calling as soon as you notice heavy buildup. We strive to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.
