Let's be honest. The icicles look impressive, but the buildup along your roof edge? Not so much. Especially, when water finds its way inside.
Ice dams form when heat escapes through your roof, melting snow that refreezes at the eaves. That ice blocks proper drainage. Water backs up under shingles. Then it's inside your walls, ceilings, and insulation.
Ontario winters make this worse. Lake-effect snow dumps 30+ cm in a day. Temperatures swing from -20°C to above freezing.
This guide shows you what causes ice dams on your roof and gutters, what actually works to remove them, and when professional help is the smarter choice.
Common Causes of Ice Dams on Roofs & Gutters
→ Poor Attic Insulation
Heat escapes through your roof, warming the snow above. The snow melts, runs down to your cold eaves and gutters, then refreezes into ice dams.
→ Inadequate Roof Ventilation
Without proper airflow, warm air gets trapped in your attic. This creates hot spots on your roof that melt snow unevenly. The water flows to your gutters where it freezes solid.
→ Clogged or Damaged Gutters
When gutters fill with leaves, debris, or ice, water backs up onto your roof, pools behind the blockage, and freezes. Damaged gutters that don't drain properly create the same problem.
→ Complex Roof Design
Valleys, dormers, and multiple roof planes create natural spots for snow to accumulate and ice to form. These areas are harder to keep clear and more prone to ice dams.
→ Extreme Temperature Swings
Ontario's freeze-thaw cycles are brutal. Snow melts during the day, refreezes at night. Each cycle adds another layer of ice to your gutters and roof edge.
Heat escapes through your roof, warming the snow above. The snow melts, runs down to your cold eaves and gutters, then refreezes into ice dams.
→ Inadequate Roof Ventilation
Without proper airflow, warm air gets trapped in your attic. This creates hot spots on your roof that melt snow unevenly. The water flows to your gutters where it freezes solid.
→ Clogged or Damaged Gutters
When gutters fill with leaves, debris, or ice, water backs up onto your roof, pools behind the blockage, and freezes. Damaged gutters that don't drain properly create the same problem.
→ Complex Roof Design
Valleys, dormers, and multiple roof planes create natural spots for snow to accumulate and ice to form. These areas are harder to keep clear and more prone to ice dams.
→ Extreme Temperature Swings
Ontario's freeze-thaw cycles are brutal. Snow melts during the day, refreezes at night. Each cycle adds another layer of ice to your gutters and roof edge.
Safe DIY Ice Dam Removal: Roof Raking
Roof raking is the only safe DIY method, but it only works BEFORE ice forms or freeze-thaw cycles hit.
What you need: A long-handled aluminum roof rake with a plastic edge and wheels, used from ground level.
When to use it: After 6+ inches of snowfall, before the snow melts and refreezes.
How to do it: Remove snow from the first 1.5-2 meters (5-6 feet) of your roof edge. Pull snow straight down (never sideways) to avoid damaging shingles.
Need more guidance? This article explains the right way to use a roof rake and how to shop for one.
The reality: With GTA winters dropping 200-300 cm of snow per season, you'd need to rake after every snowstorm to avoid those ice dams.
REMEMBER: Once ice has formed, it's too late to rake.
What you need: A long-handled aluminum roof rake with a plastic edge and wheels, used from ground level.
When to use it: After 6+ inches of snowfall, before the snow melts and refreezes.
How to do it: Remove snow from the first 1.5-2 meters (5-6 feet) of your roof edge. Pull snow straight down (never sideways) to avoid damaging shingles.
Need more guidance? This article explains the right way to use a roof rake and how to shop for one.
The reality: With GTA winters dropping 200-300 cm of snow per season, you'd need to rake after every snowstorm to avoid those ice dams.
REMEMBER: Once ice has formed, it's too late to rake.
Ice Dam Removal Methods That Damage Your Roof
Whatever you do, avoid falling into the trap of these quick-fix methods—they'll cost you thousands in roof repairs and medical bills.
→ Chipping or Hammering the Ice
Finally, don't climb an icy roof. In Ontario alone, 86.3% of injuries relate to snow removals, most of which are falls from icy roofs.
It's not worth the risk!
→ Chipping or Hammering the Ice
- Shingles become brittle below -15°C
- You can't see where ice ends and your roof begins
- Voids your manufacturer's warranty
- Creates new leak points
- High-pressure water destroys shingles and underlayment
- Some companies use this because it's fast, not because it's right
- You'll need a new roof sooner than you think
- Corrodes metal flashing
- Destroys shingles
- Kills plants and grass below
Finally, don't climb an icy roof. In Ontario alone, 86.3% of injuries relate to snow removals, most of which are falls from icy roofs.
It's not worth the risk!
When to Call A Professional for Ice Dam Removal
Some situations are beyond DIY. Here's when professional ice dam removal is the smart choice.
Call a trusted roofing company if:
Why Professional Removal Protects Your Investment:
Professional ice dam removal uses low-pressure steam equipment. It melts ice in hours without damaging shingles or voiding warranties. Plus, it works in those infamous winter storms (even in -30°C GTA winters).
Most importantly, you avoid the risk. No ladders on icy roofs. No guessing whether you're damaging your roof.
Just safe, effective ice dam removal that protects your home and safety.
Call a trusted roofing company if:
- Water is actively leaking inside your home
- Ice dams are over 15 cm (6 inches) thick
- Large icicles are forming (these are safety hazards)
- You see water stains on ceilings or walls
- Your attic insulation is wet
- Ice extends more than 1-2 feet up your roof
- You've tried roof raking, but ice has already formed
- It's unsafe to access your roof from the ground
Why Professional Removal Protects Your Investment:
Professional ice dam removal uses low-pressure steam equipment. It melts ice in hours without damaging shingles or voiding warranties. Plus, it works in those infamous winter storms (even in -30°C GTA winters).
Most importantly, you avoid the risk. No ladders on icy roofs. No guessing whether you're damaging your roof.
Just safe, effective ice dam removal that protects your home and safety.
A Note on Heat Cables
You might see heat cables advertised as an ice dam solution.
They're NOT.
In Ontario's extreme cold, they often make things worse. The cables melt snow that refreezes just beyond where the cables end, creating larger ice dams further up your roof. And, they're also expensive to run all winter.
The real solution? Address the root cause of the ice-damming issue.
If you choose to install a heat cable despite the risks, we can do it, but it’s not something we recommend.
They're NOT.
In Ontario's extreme cold, they often make things worse. The cables melt snow that refreezes just beyond where the cables end, creating larger ice dams further up your roof. And, they're also expensive to run all winter.
The real solution? Address the root cause of the ice-damming issue.
If you choose to install a heat cable despite the risks, we can do it, but it’s not something we recommend.
Professional Ice Dam Removal in Toronto And the GTA
Ice dams aren't just a winter nuisance. Left unchecked, they cause thousands in water damage to your roof, gutters, walls, and ceilings.
Roof raking helps if you catch it early. But once ice forms, or if you're dealing with a chronic issue like an active leak or poor attic insulation, professional removal is the safer, faster choice.
Need help with ice dam removal?
We remove ice dams safely and professionally, without damaging your roof or gutters. Serving the GTA with a strong work ethic and fast, reliable service when you need it most.
Roof raking helps if you catch it early. But once ice forms, or if you're dealing with a chronic issue like an active leak or poor attic insulation, professional removal is the safer, faster choice.
Need help with ice dam removal?
We remove ice dams safely and professionally, without damaging your roof or gutters. Serving the GTA with a strong work ethic and fast, reliable service when you need it most.
