Roof Snow Removal & Ice Dam Removal in Boston, MA

ID Flat Roof clears snow and ice dams from flat and low-slope roofs in Boston and towns within about 30 miles; we are licensed and insured, with 24+ years of flat roof work. Call, and we will book the earliest visit we can safely make.

Roof Snow Removal

Snow does not slide off a flat roof. The roof is built to carry it, but call us if you see any of these: about a foot or more of snow; heavy, wet snow after a thaw or rain; drifts against parapets or rooftop units; snow covering the drains.

How we clear the roof:

• We open drains and scuppers first, so meltwater has a way off the roof.
• We use only plastic-edged shovels.
• Snow goes down only into a drop zone agreed with you, away from entrances, walkways and cars.
• We work in line with job-site safety requirements.

Ice Dam Removal

On a flat or low-slope roof, an ice dam is ice that keeps meltwater from draining. Heat escaping from the building melts snow from below; the meltwater refreezes at a cold drain, scupper or parapet edge, and more water pools behind the ice until it finds a seam to get through.

Signs to watch for: icicles along the parapet or roof edge, ice around drains, water pooling after a melt, and new ceiling stains after a thaw. More on causes and prevention: ice dams on flat roofs in Boston.

How we remove ice dams:

• We clear ice from drains, scuppers and the roof edge first, so trapped water can run off.
• We do not use crowbars or salt on the roof.
• We check the seams and flashing around the dam and photograph any damage.
• We tell you what caused the dam (a blocked drain, heat loss or a low spot) and how to prevent it.

Roof Leaking After Snow?

Water coming in right now? Call (617) 299-0291 or see emergency roof repair.

On the first visit, we trace the water on the roof, clear snow and ice around the leak, open the drains and, where conditions allow, seal the problem area to help stop water coming in. You get a written price for this before we start; the permanent repair is priced separately, with photos.

The water rarely gets in right above the ceiling stain. After snow or a thaw, the three usual causes are:

• Ice dam: meltwater backs up behind the ice and gets under seams and flashing.
• Clogged or frozen drain: water pools until it finds a weak spot.
• Freeze crack: trapped water freezes and splits a seam or the flashing around a vent or HVAC curb.

Snow Load on Flat Roofs

Snow weight depends on how wet it is, not just how deep. As a rough guide, one foot of fresh snow weighs about 5–20 lb per square foot; wet snow, common in Boston, is heavier, and ice heavier still. How much a given roof can hold depends on its structural design, the code it was built to and its condition. Details: snow load on flat roofs in Boston.

If the roof or a ceiling is visibly sagging, or interior doors and windows suddenly stick, get everyone out of the rooms below and call 911 or your building department, then call us. Earlier warning signs to have the roof checked:

• Snow and ice that stay on the roof through several freeze-thaw cycles
• New cracks or stains on top-floor ceilings
• Slow drainage or pooling water after snowmelt

For Property Managers & HOAs

Whether you manage one building or several, here is how we handle snow and ice work for property managers, condominium associations and HOAs:

• Scheduled roof clearing after snowfalls, as set out in a written agreement
• One point of contact for all of your properties
• A photo report after every visit
• A written scope and price for each job up front; changes are made only with your approval
• Invoices made out to the management company or the association (HOA)

How It Works

1. Call (617) 299-0291 or send the form below.
2. We assess the roof on site, or from photos you can take safely from the ground or a window; we will tell you where to send them.
3. You get a written price; no work starts until you approve it.
4. The crew clears the roof when it is safe to work on it and sends you a photo report.

Pricing

You get a written price before work begins. If we find damage under the snow, we show you photos and price the repair separately; nothing extra is done without your approval.

The price depends on:

• Roof area
• Snow depth and how wet and heavy the snow is
• Access: roof hatch or ladder, building height, and where snow can safely go down
• Ice dams at drains and edges that need to be removed

Service Area

We work in Boston and towns within about 30 miles of the city, including:

• Cambridge
• Somerville
• Newton
• Brookline
• Quincy
• Waltham
• Lexington
• Needham
• Wellesley
• Medford
• Malden
• Chelsea
• Everett
• Revere
• Lynn
• Salem
• Arlington
• Belmont
• Watertown
• Winchester
• Woburn
• Burlington
• Natick
• Framingham
• Dedham
• Norwood
• Milton
• Braintree
• Weymouth

FAQ

Do I need to remove snow from a flat roof?

Not after every storm: flat roofs are designed to carry snow. Have it cleared when it is about a foot or more deep, when it turns wet and heavy, or when it drifts against parapets or covers the drains.

When is an ice dam dangerous?

When it blocks a drain, scupper or roof edge and water backs up behind it. That water stresses the seams and can soak the insulation and reach ceilings, often during the next thaw.

Will snow removal damage my roof membrane?

It can if done carelessly. Metal blades and crowbars can cut the membrane; our crew uses plastic-edged shovels instead and does not salt the roof.

Do you work during a snowstorm?

We go up only when it is safe to work on the roof. If snow is still falling, call anyway: we will tell you where to send photos and book the earliest visit we can offer.

How soon can you come?

It depends on the weather and how many roofs need clearing. When you call, we give you the earliest date we can come. If water is already coming inside, tell us right away.

What should I do before you arrive?

Stay off the roof: snow hides skylights, drains and roof edges. Do not chip or salt the ice, and keep people and cars away from edges where snow or ice may fall. If water is coming in, move belongings, put a bucket under the drip and stay clear of wet light fixtures and outlets.

Request Roof Snow or Ice Dam Removal

Leave your name, city and phone or email. In the message, add the address, roughly how much snow is on the roof, whether you see ice at drains or edges, and whether water is coming inside. We will contact you to confirm availability.