Ice dam causing a leak in Millcreek

Tom Hanks, owner, 24/7 Express Handyman Service · Updated September 2026

24/7 Express Handyman Service answers ice-dam calls in Millcreek. 32°F is the line that matters for an ice dam, per the University of Minnesota Extension: part of the roof's surface has to stay above freezing while another part stays below it, and heat escaping into the attic is usually what keeps the upper roof that warm. (Dealing with and preventing ice dams — University of Minnesota Extension) 4,850 feet is the elevation of the NOAA climate station on Salt Lake City's east bench, near Millcreek, whose 1991-2020 climate normals record a January average low temperature of 22.8 degrees Fahrenheit. (NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Monthly) — Salt Lake City E Bench, UT)

Do this now

Use a roof rake from the ground to pull snow off the lowest few feet of roof — that's the load feeding the dam.
Never chip at the ice dam itself with a shovel or axe; that tears shingles loose and makes the leak worse.
Put a bucket or towels under any active drip inside and move anything the water would ruin.

Call now

East Bench & Downtown Salt Lake City

(801) 999-0827 Text photos

Answered 24/7 by Tom or his dispatcher.

24/7 Express Handyman Service confirms the address, the zone rate and the dispatch fee before rolling.

An ice dam built up along the eave of a slate roof — Photo: Dmcroof, CC BY-SA 3.0

What 24/7 Express Handyman Service does on site

Clear snow load from the eaves with a roof rake to stop feeding the dam.
Contain and extract any water that has already made it inside.
Tarp or board an opening if shingles have already lifted.

What to have ready when you call

Whether water is actively dripping inside, or just visible on the roof
How long the ice has been built up
Whether the attic has visible frost or wet insulation
The address and access details

What happens next

The dispatcher confirms the address, the zone rate and the dispatch fee, then Tom rolls.
On arrival Tom clears the load feeding the dam and contains any water that already got in.
Photograph the damage before anything is moved and keep every receipt; 24/7 Express Handyman Service provides an itemised invoice your insurer may ask for. The dispatch fee and job cost are paid by you on the day.

In Millcreek

The upper Mill Creek Canyon road closes to vehicle traffic every year on November 1 and does not reopen to cars until late spring, depending on weather and road conditions, restricting motorized access to canyon-area properties through the winter. Dogs must be on-leash at all times in the canyon on even-numbered days, and are allowed off-leash on trails on odd-numbered days. (Mill Creek Canyon — Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation) Millcreek's municipal code prohibits parking a vehicle on any city street when it is snowing or snow is on the street during November, December, January, February, March, and April. (Millcreek Municipal Code §11.20.130, Parking Prohibited When)

Calls come from around Olympus Cove, Millcreek Canyon, the benches.

Questions people ask

Why do ice dams show up in Millcreek specifically?

An ice dam needs snow sitting on the roof, a roof warm enough underneath to melt it, and a cold eave to refreeze it on — exactly the swing between a heated attic and a below-freezing overnight low that the service area sees most winters.

More questions about ice dam causing a leak

Sources

Dealing with and preventing ice dams — University of Minnesota Extension — retrieved 2026-09-22
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Monthly) — Salt Lake City E Bench, UT — retrieved 2026-09-19
Mill Creek Canyon — Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation — retrieved 2026-09-19
Millcreek Municipal Code §11.20.130, Parking Prohibited When — retrieved 2026-09-19

All sources