Ice Dam Removal Cost: $650 to $2,400 + Steam vs Chipping

Ice dam on the roof: what to do first

• Stay off the roof and off the ladder. Ladders and icy eaves are fall risks. The CDC says more than 500,000 people a year in the US are treated for ladder-related injuries and about 300 die.
• Watch for collapse warnings. FEMA's snow load guide lists sagging ceilings, popping or cracking noises, bowing framing, doors or windows that no longer open or close, cracks in walls, and severe leaks. If you see any of them, FEMA says to get everyone out of the building and call a qualified design professional.
• Catch the water. If water is coming through a ceiling, move belongings, put down buckets and take photos. If it is near light fixtures or outlets, shut that circuit off at the breaker only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot.
• Mind the power lines. NDSU Extension warns to keep a roof rake clear of overhead power lines. If a line is down, stay away and call the utility.

How much does ice dam removal cost

Published US prices. Most companies bill by the hour with a minimum, so the size of the dam and the method set the total.

Ice dam removal: steam vs chipping

Angi July 2026 totals; HomeGuide October 2025 totals for steam and chipping; Fixr January 2025 hourly rates and hours.

Steam costs more per hour but takes less of them. Fixr says a steamer clears an average roof in 2 to 3 hours, while chipping takes 4 to 6 and can damage roofing. Paul Fisette of UMass advises against chipping ice. If a company's plan is hammers and shovels on the ice, ask for steam instead.

Roof snow removal cost

NDSU Extension says removing snow from the lower part of the roof reduces ice dams and icicles at the gutters. Angi puts roof snow removal at $350 on average.

Published US prices for roof snow removal.

FEMA says snow removal should be performed by a licensed, insured professional roofing contractor, and that it can be done from the ground. It says to avoid metal snow rakes, which can damage roofing, to leave at least 2 inches of snow on the roof, and to keep clear of the eaves because snow can slide. NDSU Extension also says to use a roof rake rather than climbing on the roof.

Roof snow load: when snow becomes dangerous

FEMA's snow load guide says fresh snow weighs about 3 to 21 pounds per square foot for each foot of depth, and a foot of ice weighs about 57 pounds per square foot. Ice dams make it worse, FEMA notes, because they stop snow from sliding off and let water into the building. If the roof shows the warning signs listed above, leave the house first and call afterward.

Why ice dams form

Ice dams start inside the house. NDSU Extension engineer Kenneth Hellevang says they are most common when snow is on the roof, heat escapes through it, and outdoor temperatures are just below freezing. "Heat from the house warms the roof," the snow melts, and the meltwater refreezes at the colder eaves, where it can back up under the shingles. UMass puts it plainly: "Ice dams are created by the heat lost from the house," and they can form with as little as 1 or 2 inches of snow on a poorly insulated, poorly sealed roof.

• Air sealing. NDSU says to seal plumbing, heating and electrical openings, recessed lights and attic access doors. UMass adds chimneys and bath fans, and says dams commonly form above exterior walls.
• Insulation. NDSU says northern attics need about 15 inches of blown insulation, or R-50. UMass, in an older article, says at least R-38. See attic insulation cost for prices.
• Ventilation. UMass calls soffit-to-ridge ventilation the most effective and rates power vents, turbines, roof vents and gable louvers as less effective. NDSU says to vent through the soffit and ridge or gable vents, with baffles. See attic fan installation before adding a powered fan for this reason.

NDSU sums it up: "The key is to minimize the heat loss into the attic." Fixing that addresses the cause instead of the symptom.

Heat cables: do they prevent ice dams

Heat cables are electric cables laid along the eaves. Fixr prices them at about $5 per linear foot, Angi lists installation at $500 to $4,600, and Bob Vila says store-bought kits run $125 to $250, with a professionally installed de-icing system adding $2,000 to $4,000. University extension sources are skeptical. NDSU says heat tape treats the symptom instead of preventing the problem, and UMass does not recommend it because of the energy use, the fire risk, and the new dam that can form just above the cable.

Ice dam damage: what to check after

Water from an ice dam often shows up later than the ice. UMass says to check the sheathing, trim and insulation for dampness afterward, because water in wall cavities can cause rot, mold and peeling paint well after the ice is gone. Fixr puts ice dam damage repair at $300 to $1,500, and Bob Vila says water damage restoration can reach $3,500 or more.

For a stain on the ceiling or water inside the walls, see roof leak repair, water damage restoration and mold remediation. For damaged shingles or flashing at the eaves, see roof repair and roof flashing repair. UMass notes gutters do not cause ice dams but can be torn away by the ice; that damage is on the gutter repair page.

Ice dam removal near me: what to ask before you book

1. Do you steam? Ask for steam rather than chipping (Fixr, UMass).
2. Hourly rate and minimum? Angi says many companies have a two-hour minimum, and after-hours snow work can cost 25% to 50% more.
3. Will you clear the roof snow first, and how? FEMA says to avoid metal rakes and leave at least 2 inches of snow.
4. What is your license number, and can you show proof of insurance? FEMA recommends hiring a licensed roofing contractor that carries insurance for snow removal; check the number yourself. The roofing license by state page explains the rules where we take calls.
5. Will you check for damage? Ask the crew to photograph the eaves, flashing and gutters once the ice is off.

Calls go to an independent company that serves your area and takes this kind of job. Hours vary. How calls work.