Ice Dam Removal in Minnesota
Low-pressure steam, a trained crew and 14+ years of snow-belt winters. We stop the leak first, then take the dam off down to the shingle.
Signs you need ice dam removal
Ice dams don't always leak right away. They hold meltwater on the roof until a warm afternoon pushes it under the shingles. These are the signs to call before that happens.
- A thick ridge of ice along the gutters, usually with heavy icicles off the front edge
- Brown stains or drips on ceilings near outside walls
- Water inside window frames or running down a wall
- Ice coming out of soffits or siding
- Gutters bending or pulling away from the house
Why we only use steam
Frozen shingles are brittle. Hit them with a hammer or a chisel and they crack, lose granules or tear loose. That damage shows up in spring as a leak you didn't have before.
Low-pressure steam melts the ice in place. The heat does the work, not force, so water isn't driven under the shingles and nothing scrapes the roof surface.
What we never bring up the ladder
Some ice dam methods cause more damage than the dam. We leave these on the ground.
- Hammers, hatchets or ice picks
- Chisels or scrapers
- Salt or calcium pucks, which streak shingles and kill plants below
- Pressure washers, which force water under the shingles
What it costs
Ice dam removal is usually billed by the hour for the steam rig and crew. A short run of eave on a rambler is a different job than a two-story with dams on every side.
What moves the number: how many feet of eave are dammed, how thick the ice is, roof height and pitch, and how easy it is to set ladders. You get a quote before any work starts.
The visit, step by step.
Controlled heat, low pressure, and the water stops first.
Look first
We walk the eaves from the ground, find where water is backing up and check inside if it's leaking.
Set up safely
Ladders stand off the gutters with stabilizers. Nobody walks across a frozen roof without a reason.
Cut channels
Steam opens drainage paths through the dam so trapped water runs off right away.
Remove the dam
We work the ice off section by section, down to the shingles and out of the gutters.
Clean up and report
Fallen ice cleared from walks and beds. You get before-and-after photos and our notes.
How much does ice dam removal cost in Minnesota?
It depends on how much eave is dammed, how thick the ice is, how high and steep the roof is, and how easy it is to set ladders. Most jobs are billed hourly for the steam rig and crew. You'll have a quote before we start.
Is steam really safer than chipping?
Yes. Frozen shingles are brittle, and chipping cracks them and tears off granules. Steam melts the ice in place at low pressure, so the roof surface isn't struck or scraped.
Do I need to be home?
Not for the outside work. If water is coming inside, it helps if someone can let us look at the leak so we know where to start.
Will removing the dam stop the leak?
Opening drainage channels usually stops active leaking quickly. Water already in the walls or insulation needs time to dry, and we'll tell you if anything needs a closer look in spring.
Should I get the snow off the roof too?
Often, yes. Snow on the roof is the fuel for the next dam. We can rake or shovel the lower roof while we're there.
Often done in the same visit.
Get ahead of roof ice.
Schedule ice dam removal, or call now if water is coming into your home. Don't climb onto an icy roof. Keep clear of falling ice and let a pro take it from here.