PROPER ICE DAM REMOVAL (Standard Roof Maintenance during the winter months):

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Above: Using a shovel from the roof side or from the ground (using a broom or snow rake), carefully remove snow within 24 hours of a major snow fall.  The sooner after snow fall you start to remove the snow, the better chance it will "brush" off and not have a chance to form ice.  Be very careful not to damage the shingles.. Below are detail pictures of proper snow removal for different areas of the roof (captions are below each picture):

Above: remove snow up the roof approx 2 feet into heated air space and near all valleys and penetration flashings

Above and Below: Remove snow from around penetration flashings, ridge vents and box vents, Chimneys, and anything else that can stop water from flowing freely off the roof

Above and Below: The ultimate goal is to allow any melting snow and ice to be able to flow free (un-deterred) off the roof

Below: 24 Hours later