As the best roof repair contractor in Poughkeepsie, NY, we believe that the only way to deal with ice dams once and for all effectively is to ensure your roof and attic’s ventilation is in its best condition. However, if you already have ice dams present on your roof, please understand that it’s not too late, and there are still a couple of ways to eliminate them. No matter how pretty these ice dams are, they’re merely a symptom of a serious roofing problem: poor roof ventilation.

Here are five valuable tips from the Roofing Contractor of Poughkeepsie on effectively removing the ice dams on your roof.
- Heated Cables
If you’re unfamiliar with heated cables, they are a type of heated cable or tape designed to prevent ice dam formation. They can also eliminate any existing ice dams on your roof. Heated cables are powered by electricity, generating the heat required to melt any stubborn ice build and ice dams on your roof. You can place them in a zigzag pattern along your roofline’s edge and through the gutter.
- Cold Air Blown Through the Attic
Blowing cold air through your attic during winter may sound counterintuitive, but trust us. Hot air tends to rise, and during winter, the hot air in your home will accumulate in your attic. Hot air on your roof will melt the ice on top of it, and as it flows down the edges of your roof, it will re-freeze again to form ice dams.
To effectively deal with ice dams, you can point several fans directly at your roof in the attic, where the problem started.
- Rake Off the Snow from Your Roof
If you’ve got the energy to deal with ice dams manually, we suggest you get yourself a snow roof rake and remove the snow off your roof yourself. This is merely a preventive measure, but it’s effective in preventing the formation of ice dams. There are specially-made roof racks designed to remove snow on the roof, and we highly advise you use them instead of the conventional rake. If you use the traditional rake, you might damage the shingles hidden underneath the sheet of snow on your roof.
- Use Calcium Chloride DeIcer
If all the tips mentioned above proved to be fruitless, then perhaps it’s time you use calcium chloride de-icer. This chemical is a highly effective solution for de-icing your roof. Keep in mind, however, that if you decide to use calcium chloride de-icer, ensure the plants and bushes around your property are well-protected first. If you don’t, they’ll die from the harshness of the compound.
- Call Roof Repair Contractors in Poughkeepsie, NY,
If the four tips we initially mentioned didn’t work, then it’s time you call for the help of roof repair contractors in Poughkeepsie, NY. They’re experts in roofing and know how to eliminate any ice dam formation effectively. Hiring them will also give you the luxury of staying warm inside your home while letting the professionals work on your icy problem.
Additional Notes
If you genuinely want ice dams to stop forming, you need to understand that your roof may have had a problem in the first place. The Roofing Contractor of Poughkeepsie reckons that it’s a poorly ventilated roof. Keep in mind that experts like the Roofing Contractor of Poughkeepsie can help you deal with ice dams before they form, so don’t hesitate to call them immediately!
Roofing Contractor of Poughkeepsie
129 Hooker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone Number: +18454426082