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Awesense Exterior
Roofing

Snow / ice-dam removal in Greater Vancouver & the Fraser Valley

Safe snow load and ice-dam removal for homes at elevation around Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and Sea-to-Sky.

Snow / ice-dam removal by Awesense Exterior — example of our work

Most of the Lower Mainland sees little lasting snow, but homes at elevation - the North Shore, the Fraser Valley hillsides, and anywhere along the Sea-to-Sky - get real accumulation and the ice dams that come with it. An ice dam forms when heat escaping the attic melts the snow above, the meltwater runs down to the cold eave and refreezes, and the growing ridge of ice backs water up under the shingles and into the house.

We remove heavy snow loads and clear ice dams without the spikes, hatchets, and high heat that crack shingles and gouge membranes. Controlled steam and careful raking relieve the load and reopen drainage paths at the eaves and gutters, so water can escape rather than pool behind the dam and find its way inside.

Removal is the urgent fix, but the real cure is upstream. Ice dams are almost always a sign of heat loss and uneven attic temperature, so we will point you toward the ventilation and insulation improvements that stop them recurring. If you are seeing interior staining during a freeze, call early - acting before the next thaw prevents the worst of the water damage.

Frequently asked

Snow / ice-dam removal — your questions

Is it safe to chip the ice off myself?

We do not recommend it. Hatchets and spikes crack shingles and puncture membranes. We use controlled steam and raking to clear the ice without harming the roof.

Why do I get ice dams when my neighbour does not?

It usually comes down to heat loss and ventilation. Warm air escaping into the attic melts snow unevenly, so fixing insulation and airflow is the long-term cure.

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Ready for a free, no-obligation quote?

Tell us about your roofing or cladding project and we’ll get back to you with a clear, honest assessment.