Ice Dam Prevention & Removal Staten Island, NY
Ice dams can destroy your roof, gutters, and interior walls in a single winter. Don't risk climbing up there yourself—let Staten Island's most experienced roofer protect your home before the damage spreads.
Request a Free EstimateWhat Are Ice Dams and Why Are They Dangerous?
An ice dam forms when heat escapes from your attic and melts the snow sitting on your roof. That meltwater runs down toward the eaves—where the roof is colder—and refreezes into a ridge of solid ice. As more water backs up behind that ridge, it has nowhere to go but under your shingles and into your home.
The damage can be devastating: warped ceilings, soaked insulation, ruined drywall, mold growth, and destroyed gutters. And here's the part most homeowners don't realize—by the time you see icicles hanging off your eaves, the damage may already be happening inside your walls. That's why prevention is critical, and why you need an experienced roofer who knows how to stop ice dams before they start.
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Why Staten Island Homeowners Trust Chris the Roofer
Ice dam work isn't a DIY project. Climbing an icy roof with no training is one of the most dangerous things a homeowner can do—every winter, people are seriously injured or killed trying to chip ice off their own roofs. When you hire Chris the Roofer NYC, you get a licensed, insured professional with over two decades of experience and the right equipment to do the job safely.
- Owner Chris personally oversees every ice dam project on-site
- GAF Certified Plus™ Contractor—trusted by North America's largest roofing manufacturer
- Fully licensed (LIC #2103246) and insured for your protection
- Silver Pledge™ Warranty—one of the strongest in the industry
- Locally owned and operated right here on Staten Island
How We Handle Ice Dam Prevention & Removal
Thorough Roof Inspection
We start with a comprehensive assessment of your roof, attic ventilation, and insulation to identify exactly why ice dams are forming on your home.
Identify Heat Loss Points
Ice dams start with heat escaping your attic. We pinpoint the trouble spots—poor insulation, inadequate ventilation, or air leaks—that are warming your roof deck.
Safe Ice Dam Removal
If ice dams are already present, our crew safely removes them using professional methods that won't damage your shingles, flashing, or gutters.
Ventilation Improvements
Proper attic ventilation keeps your roof deck cold and uniform—the single most effective way to prevent ice dams from forming in the first place.
Ice & Water Shield Installation
We install GAF ice and water shield membrane along vulnerable eaves and valleys—your last line of defense if ice dams ever do form.
Final Walkthrough
Owner Chris personally walks you through everything we've done, explains the improvements, and makes sure you're 100% satisfied with the results.
Understanding Ice Dam Prevention & Protection
Why Ice Dams Form on Staten Island Roofs
Ice dams form when your attic is too warm. Heat rises from your living space into the attic, warming the roof deck from underneath. Snow on the upper portions of your roof melts, and the water flows down toward the eaves—the coldest part of the roof, which hangs over unheated space. When that meltwater hits the cold eaves, it refreezes into a growing ridge of ice.
As the cycle continues, water pools behind the ice dam with nowhere to drain. It seeps under shingles, through the roof deck, and into your attic, walls, and ceilings. Staten Island's freeze-thaw cycles make this especially common—temperatures often hover right around freezing during winter months, creating perfect conditions for repeated ice dam formation.
Why You Should Never Handle Ice Dams Yourself
Every winter, homeowners across New York are seriously injured—or worse—trying to remove ice dams on their own. Climbing a ladder onto an icy, snow-covered roof with no safety equipment is incredibly dangerous. Even using a roof rake from the ground can cause problems if you damage shingles or pull gutters away from the fascia.
Hacking at ice with a hammer, chisel, or ice pick is one of the most common DIY approaches—and one of the most destructive. You'll almost certainly gouge your shingles, crack flashing, or puncture the roof membrane. The "fix" ends up causing more damage than the ice dam itself. A trained, licensed roofer has the right equipment, safety gear, and experience to remove ice dams without destroying your roof in the process.
Proper Attic Ventilation Is the Real Solution
The most effective way to prevent ice dams is to keep your roof deck cold. That means ensuring your attic has proper ventilation—intake vents at the soffits and exhaust vents at or near the ridge. This creates continuous airflow that removes warm air from the attic before it can melt the snow on your roof.
Many older Staten Island homes were built with inadequate attic ventilation, or the vents have been blocked by insulation over the years. Chris the Roofer evaluates your entire ventilation system during a roof inspection and recommends targeted improvements that solve the root cause of ice dam formation—not just the symptoms.
Ice & Water Shield: Your Last Line of Defense
Even with perfect ventilation, extreme weather events can still produce some ice damming. That's where ice and water shield membrane comes in. This self-adhering, waterproof barrier is installed directly on the roof deck along the eaves, in valleys, and around penetrations before your shingles go on.
As a GAF Certified Plus™ Contractor, Chris the Roofer installs GAF WeatherWatch® or StormGuard® ice and water shield as part of every roof replacement. It's your insurance policy against ice dams—if water ever does back up under your shingles, the membrane prevents it from reaching the roof deck and entering your home.
How Ice Dams Destroy Your Gutters
Ice dams don't just damage your roof—they wreck your gutters too. As ice builds up at the eaves, it fills and expands inside your gutter channels, pulling them away from the fascia board and bending or cracking the gutter material. The sheer weight of a fully frozen gutter can rip the entire system off the side of your house.
Keeping your gutters clean before winter, ensuring proper gutter sizing, and addressing the root cause of ice dam formation all help protect your gutter system. If your gutters have already been damaged by ice dams, Chris the Roofer provides professional gutter replacement with seamless systems designed to handle Staten Island winters.
When to Call Chris the Roofer
Call us immediately if you notice any of these warning signs: large icicles forming along your eaves, water stains appearing on ceilings or walls during cold weather, ice building up in your gutters, or visible ice ridges forming at the edge of your roof. These are all signs that an ice dam is actively causing damage to your home.
Better yet, call us before winter hits. A fall roof inspection allows us to identify ventilation problems, check your ice and water shield coverage, and make improvements that prevent ice dams from forming in the first place. Prevention is always cheaper than repair—and it's a whole lot less stressful than watching water drip through your living room ceiling in January.
Ice Dam Prevention & Removal FAQs
Ice dams form when heat from your attic warms the upper portion of your roof, melting the snow sitting on it. That meltwater flows down toward the eaves—the coldest part of the roof—and refreezes into a ridge of ice. As the cycle repeats, water backs up behind the ice ridge and seeps under your shingles and into your home. The root causes are usually poor attic insulation, inadequate roof ventilation, or air leaks from the living space below.
We strongly advise against it. Climbing onto an icy roof without proper safety equipment and training is extremely dangerous—homeowners are seriously injured every winter attempting this. Even using tools from the ground like roof rakes can damage shingles and gutters if used incorrectly. Hacking at ice dams with hammers or chisels almost always causes more damage to your roof than the ice dam itself. A licensed, insured roofing professional like Chris the Roofer has the proper equipment and expertise to remove ice dams safely without damaging your roof.
The cost depends on the severity and location of the ice dams, the size and pitch of your roof, and what methods are needed for safe removal. Chris the Roofer provides free, no-obligation estimates—we'll assess the situation, explain exactly what needs to be done, and give you an upfront price before any work begins. No hidden fees, no surprises. Call us at 570-406-3134 for a same-day estimate when possible.
The most effective long-term solution is keeping your roof deck cold and uniform by improving attic ventilation and insulation. Proper soffit-to-ridge ventilation allows cold air to circulate under the roof deck, preventing the uneven melting that causes ice dams. Additionally, installing ice and water shield membrane along the eaves during a roof replacement provides a waterproof backup layer. Keeping your gutters clean before winter also helps water drain properly before it can freeze.
Not necessarily—but it depends on the extent of the damage. Minor ice damming that's caught early can often be resolved with ventilation improvements and targeted roof repairs. However, if ice dams have been forming for multiple seasons and water has been infiltrating your roof deck, you may have rotting sheathing, compromised underlayment, or damaged insulation that warrants a full roof replacement. Chris will inspect your roof and give you an honest assessment—we never recommend more work than you actually need.
Many standard homeowner's insurance policies do cover sudden water damage caused by ice dams—including interior damage to ceilings, walls, and floors. However, coverage varies by policy, and insurance companies may not cover the cost of removing the ice dam itself or fixing the underlying ventilation problem that caused it. We recommend contacting your insurance provider before winter to understand your coverage. Chris the Roofer can provide the documentation and photos your insurer may need to process a claim.
Absolutely. Chris the Roofer NYC is fully licensed in New York (LIC #2103246) and carries comprehensive liability insurance. We're also a GAF Certified Plus™ Contractor, which means we've been vetted by North America's largest roofing manufacturer for experience, financial stability, and quality workmanship. Your home and property are fully protected when you work with us.
Outstanding craftsmanship. Very professional service. Chris is the only guy I know who can actually install a roof properly, as per manufacturer's specifications, and carries a manufacturer's warranty. Chris the real professional.
We Also Provide
Roof Repair
Leaks, missing shingles, storm damage—we handle it all. Our team identifies the problem fast and delivers lasting repairs that protect your home.
Learn MoreRoof Replacement
When repairs aren't enough, trust a GAF Certified Plus™ Contractor to install a complete roofing system backed by industry-leading warranties.
Learn MoreGutter Replacement
Ice dams often destroy gutters. We install durable, seamless gutter systems built to handle Staten Island winters and protect your foundation.
Learn MoreWhat Sets Chris the Roofer Apart
Locally Owned & Operated
We're your neighbors. Chris the Roofer is a Staten Island company that takes pride in serving this community with honest, dependable work.
Licensed & Insured
Your home is protected. We carry full liability insurance and are licensed in New York (LIC #2103246).
GAF Certified Plus™
Only a select group of roofers earn this certification. It means verified expertise, premium materials, and access to the Silver Pledge™ Warranty.
Owner On-Site
Chris personally oversees every project. You're not dealing with a sales rep—you're working directly with the owner who stands behind the work.
Transparent Pricing
No bait-and-switch. The price we quote is the price you pay, with no hidden fees or surprise charges at the end of the job.
Meticulous Cleanup
We don't leave a mess behind. Our crew sweeps up every nail, shingle scrap, and piece of debris—your property will look better than when we arrived.