Snow Removal & Ice Dam Services in Plainfield, IL
Professional Roof Snow Raking & Steam Ice Dam Removal
Heavy snow in Will County isn’t just a curb appeal issue—it’s a structural one.
In Plainfield, Joliet, and Shorewood, we see a specific winter pattern: a heavy dump of wet snow followed by a week of sub-zero temperatures. That snow sits on your roof, gets warmed by escaping attic heat, melts at the shingles, and freezes again at the cold gutters. Within 48 hours, you have an ice dam.
Once that ice builds up, the next round of snowmelt has nowhere to go but up and under your shingles. That’s how a "winter wonderland" turns into a saturated ceiling in your living room by February.
At Plainfield Superior Roofing, we provide specialized roof snow removal and low-pressure steam ice dam removal. We don't use hammers or salt pucks that ruin your shingles. We use the right equipment to protect your home while clearing the danger.
The Winter Reality in Will County:
Why Your Roof is At Risk
The corridor along Route 59 and I-55 gets hit with a mix of heavy western systems and moisture-rich air. When we get 6+ inches of snow followed by a deep freeze, your roof is under immense stress.
Most modern roofs can handle the weight of fresh snow. The problem starts with snow loading—when multiple storms stack up without a thaw. A cubic foot of packed snow can weigh 20 pounds or more. If your roof is holding a foot of it, you’re looking at thousands of pounds of unplanned pressure on your trusses and rafters.
Then there’s the ice. We’ve seen ice dams in neighborhoods like Wesmere and Grand Prairie that were four inches thick and backed up three feet from the gutter line. At that point, your shingles are no longer a drainage system; they are a bathtub.
We monitor local weather patterns closely. When the "freeze-thaw" cycle hits, our crews are out across Plainfield and Naperville helping homeowners prevent structural collapse and interior water damage.
Our Winter Roof Maintenance Services
Professional Roof Snow Removal (Roof Raking)
Waiting for the snow to melt on its own is a gamble. If your attic insulation isn't perfect or your ventilation is restricted, that snow is the fuel for an ice dam.
We use professional-grade roof rakes with poly-guards to pull snow from the eaves and valleys without scarring the shingle granules. For heavy accumulations, we perform full-roof clearing, carefully navigating vents and skylights.
Why professional removal matters:
- Safety: Climbing a ladder in icy conditions with a heavy rake is a major risk for homeowners.
- Balance: We know how to clear a roof to maintain even weight distribution.
- Utility Protection: We avoid striking B-vents, plumbing stacks, and chimney flashings that are hidden under the drifts.
The "Loud Roof Crack" Story:
Last January, we got a call from a homeowner in Shorewood during a heavy snow event. They heard a loud "crack" from the attic. When we arrived, the snow load had caused a secondary rafter to splinter. We cleared four feet of drifted snow from that specific valley in the dark, likely saving them from a partial roof collapse. Sometimes, "waiting for spring" isn't an option.
Low-Pressure Steam
Ice Dam Removal
If you already have a wall of ice at your gutters, do not let anyone hit it with a hammer.
Impact is the fastest way to puncture a shingle or shatter a gutter bracket. We use professional-grade steam equipment. It’s a low-pressure, high-temperature process that cuts through ice like a hot wire through butter. It’s the only method that is 100% safe for your roofing materials.
What our ice dam service includes:
- Identifying the "leak entry" points where ice is backing up.
- Steaming channels through the ice to allow trapped water to drain.
- Full removal of the ice shelf from the gutters and eaves.
- Clearing downspouts to ensure the melt has a path to the ground.
Why Ice Dams Happen (And How to Stop Them)
An ice dam is a symptom of a larger problem: heat loss.
When your attic is too warm, the bottom layer of snow melts. That water runs down to the overhang (the eave), which is cold because it’s not over a heated room. The water freezes there. Repeat this for three days, and you have a dam.
Common Culprits:
- Blocked Soffit Vents: Blown-in insulation often plugs the very vents meant to keep the roof deck cold.
- Inadequate R-Value: Heat escaping through the ceiling into the attic.
- Bypass Leaks: Unsealed light fixtures or attic hatches letting house heat straight up.
The "Salt Puck" Mistake
We often see homeowners throwing salt pucks or calcium chloride socks onto their roofs. Please stop doing this.
The chemicals in those pucks are corrosive to your gutters and can cause "shingle bleed," where the chemicals dry out the asphalt. Furthermore, the salty runoff can kill the landscaping and grass at the base of your house when the spring thaw hits. Steam is just water—it’s the only clean way to fix the problem.
Emergency Winter Services & Interior Damage
If you see water staining on your ceiling or dripping from a window frame during the winter, you have an active ice dam leak.
In these cases, we don't just clear the ice; we help you document the damage. Many homeowner insurance policies in Illinois cover interior water damage caused by ice damming, but they often require proof that the damage was weather-related and sudden.
We provide:
- Emergency Tarping: If a leak is active, we can apply temporary seals or create drainage paths to stop the ingress.
- Photo Documentation: We take pictures of the ice thickness and the affected shingles for your claim.
- Post-Winter Inspections: Once the snow clears, we return to check for "shingle lift"—where ice actually pried the shingles upward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover ice dam removal?
Usually, insurance covers the repair to the interior of your home (drywall, paint, insulation) but not the maintenance task of removing the ice itself. However, if the ice dam was caused by a specific storm event, some policies vary. Check with your local Plainfield agent.
How much snow is too much for my roof?
A general rule for Illinois homes is that 12 inches of heavy, wet snow or 2 feet of light, fluffy snow is the "danger zone." If your doors are suddenly sticking or you hear creaking, you need it cleared immediately.
Can I just use a shovel?
Never use a metal shovel on a roof. You will catch the edge of a shingle and tear it right off. Even a plastic shovel can do damage if you hit a frozen shingle too hard.
How long does steam removal take?
It depends on the thickness. A standard Plainfield ranch home with moderate damming usually takes 2 to 4 hours. Large custom homes with complex valleys can take longer.
Will the ice dam come back?
If the weather stays freezing and the heat loss in your attic isn't addressed, yes. We provide temporary relief, but we also offer attic ventilation audits to help you find a permanent fix for next year.