Ice Dam Removal

What an Ice Dam Is and Why It Leaks

An ice dam forms when heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the meltwater refreezes at the colder eaves. The ice builds up into a ridge that traps water behind it. That trapped water has nowhere to go but under the shingles and into your home. The result is water stains on ceilings, wet insulation in the attic, damaged siding, and rotted fascia — all from water that never should have gotten past the roof surface.

Ice dams are a symptom of an attic ventilation and insulation problem, not a roofing problem. The roof surface is doing its job. The warm air leaking into the attic is not. That is why ice dam prevention focuses on sealing air leaks, adding insulation, and improving ventilation — not just removing the ice.

How We Remove Ice Dams

Removal is the immediate fix. Prevention is the long-term fix. We do both.

1. Roof raking — for accessible areas, we use a roof rake to pull snow off the lower roof from the ground; this stops the freeze-thaw cycle at the eaves
2. Steam removal — for built-up ice dams, we use a steamer that melts channels through the ice at 250+ degrees; this is the safest method because it does not damage the shingles
3. Melt channels — we cut channels through the ice dam to create drainage paths so trapped water can flow off the roof
4. De-icing cable assessment — if heat cables are already installed, we check their condition and placement; if not installed, we recommend where they should go
5. Interior damage check — we inspect the attic and ceilings behind the ice dam for water intrusion and document any damage

We never use axes, chisels, or salt to remove ice dams. These methods damage shingles, void warranties, and create more problems than they solve.

Ice Dam Removal Costs

Service	Typical range
Roof raking (per visit)	$150 – $400
Steam ice dam removal	$300 – $800 per hour
Typical ice dam removal (total)	$500 – $2,500
De-icing cable installation	$1,000 – $3,000
Interior water damage repair	Varies by extent

Ice dam removal is reactive. The real investment is in prevention — insulation, air sealing, and ventilation that eliminate the conditions that create ice dams.

How We Prevent Ice Dams

Prevention addresses the root cause: warm air leaking into the attic and melting snow unevenly.

1. Air sealing — we seal every penetration from the living space into the attic: recessed lights, plumbing stacks, electrical boxes, attic hatches, and HVAC ducts
2. Insulation — we add blown-in or batt insulation to bring the attic up to current code (R-49 in cold climates, R-38 in moderate climates)
3. Ventilation — we ensure soffit vents are open and unblocked, ridge vent is installed, and the attic has balanced intake and exhaust airflow
4. Baffles — we install insulation baffles at every eave to keep insulation from blocking soffit airflow
5. Heat cable installation — in areas where ventilation improvements alone cannot prevent ice dams (valleys, complex roof lines), we install self-regulating heat cables along eaves and in gutters

The combination of air sealing, insulation, and ventilation eliminates most ice dams permanently. Heat cables are a supplement, not a substitute.

The Cost of Ignoring Ice Dams

Ice dams cause compounding damage that gets worse over time.

• Water stains on ceilings and walls
• Wet insulation that loses R-value and promotes mold
• Rotted fascia, soffit, and rake boards
• Damaged siding and paint
• Mold growth in wall cavities and attic
• Structural damage to roof deck and rafters

Preventing ice dams costs less than repairing the damage they cause over a single winter.

When Ice Dams Are Most Likely

Ice dams are most common in cold climates with heavy snowfall and older homes that lack adequate insulation and ventilation. The risk factors include:

• Attic insulation below current code
• Recessed lights or other heat sources in the attic floor
• Blocked soffit vents from insulation or debris
• Complex roof lines with valleys and dormers
• North-facing roof sections that hold snow longer
• Dark-colored roofs in sunny locations that cause uneven melting

How We Remove Ice Dams

1. Assessment — we identify the dam location, estimate ice thickness, and locate the water backup
2. Steam application — a steamer melts a channel through the ice without thermal-shocking the shingles; we cut from the eave upward to open a drainage path
3. Water release — as the channel opens, trapped meltwater drains safely through the gutters instead of under the shingles
4. Ice removal — remaining ice is gently broken and removed; we never use chisels, axes, or salt that damage shingles
5. Damage inspection — after the ice is removed, we check shingles, flashing, and gutters for damage caused by the ice
6. Prevention plan — we assess the attic insulation, ventilation, and air sealing to recommend permanent fixes that prevent future dams

Never use rock salt, calcium chloride pellets, or sharp tools on your roof. Salt damages asphalt shingles and voids many roof warranties. Chiseling ice risks cracking the shingles and punching through the deck.

Common Ice Dam Locations

• Valleys — where two roof slopes meet, snow accumulates deep and melts unevenly
• North-facing eaves — these slopes stay cold longest and are most prone to refreezing meltwater
• Above dormers — snow drifts form behind dormers and create localized damming
• Over heated rooms — attics above kitchens, bathrooms, or rooms with heat registers lose more heat through the ceiling
• Complex roof lines — intersections, transitions, and step-downs create uneven melting patterns
• Areas above poorly insulated ductwork — warm air leaking from ducts in the attic melts snow unevenly

Ice Dam Prevention Cost vs. Damage Cost

Prevention measure	Typical cost	Damage it prevents
Air sealing attic penetrations	$500 – $2,000	Ceiling/wall water damage ($2,000 – $10,000)
Attic insulation upgrade	$1,500 – $4,000	Mold remediation ($3,000 – $15,000)
Soffit and ridge ventilation	$1,000 – $3,000	Deck rot and shingle damage ($5,000 – $20,000)
Heat cable installation	$1,000 – $3,000	Emergency ice dam removal ($500 – $2,500 per event)

Prevention always costs less than the cumulative damage from repeated ice dam events over the life of the roof. The investment in insulation, air sealing, and ventilation pays for itself many times over by eliminating the emergency removal costs, interior water damage repairs, and mold remediation that ice dams cause year after year.

Ice dam on your roof right now? Call us for emergency steam removal — we will stop the water intrusion and then help you prevent it from happening again.