Ice dam removal costs around $1,200 on average, and most homeowners pay between $650 and $2,000, depending on roof size and removal method.
Ice dam removal costs around $1,200 on average, but prices can range widely from as little as $400 up to around $4,000, depending on a few things. In this guide, we’ll explain what factors affect ice dam removal costs to help you get an accurate estimate for clearing the ice from your roof and preventing roof damage.
Ice dam removal costs can range from $400 up to $4,000 depending on a few key factors.
There are several professional ice dam removal methods out there, and the one your expert uses will play a role in the total cost. Removal using steam is often considered the best and safest option, but other methods like chipping, salt, or tablets may work for you and could save you some money.
| Ice Dam Removal Method | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Steam | $800–$2,100 |
| Chipping | $800–$1,500 |
| Salt and Tablets | $200–$300 |
| Pressure Washer | $400–$2,000 |
Larger homes with more roof square footage will likely cost more when it comes to ice dam removal for a few reasons. First, larger roofs are more likely to have more substantial ice accumulation, which takes longer to get rid of and drives up labor costs. Larger homes are also more likely to have multiple ice dams, so you could end up paying for each individual dam removal, once again increasing the total.
While roof size is important, keep in mind that removal time and effort isn’t solely determined by square footage.
| House Size (Square Feet) | Price Range for Ice Dam Removal |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $400–$700 |
| 1,500 | $600–$1,400 |
| 1,500+ | $2,000–$4,000 |
The biggest contributing factor to your ice dam removal cost is going to be the size of the ice dam, as larger dams require more labor and cost more to remove, regardless of the removal method. Unfortunately, it’s often not possible to get an accurate estimate for the size of the ice dam on your roof due to snow coverage, so you might need to hire a local roof cleaning company to remove the snow first to get a good look at the dam.
In most cases, professionals who remove ice dams will be able to do this for you, and it’s typically more cost-effective to hire a single pro to get the job done.
In most cases, all of your ice dam removal costs will go toward labor, so accessibility can play a major role when it comes to removal costs.
The most affordable ice dam to remove is one that your professional can reach solely from a ladder, as this won’t require using safety equipment to get on the slippery roof. Slightly more expensive will be ice dams on the first floor roof that require roof access to address.
The most expensive ice dams in terms of accessibility will be those on second-story roofs, as they require the most caution and safety equipment to access and remove.
Your labor costs for ice dam removal will usually fall between $150 and $700 per hour, and most projects take two to five hours to complete. Note that many companies require a two-hour minimum and costs can increase for urgent appointments in the middle of the busy season.
Labor costs will also increase with job complexity, so anything that makes the work take longer—like low accessibility or heavy snow removal needed before the ice dam removal can begin—will drive up labor costs.
For the salt or tablet method, materials usually range between $20 and $60, depending on the size of your roof, and labor costs will usually sit at the minimum of around $300 for two hours of work to access your roof and apply the materials.
During the prep phase, the pro will remove all of the snow that’s covering your ice dams. This exposes the ice itself for easy access and can also help plot out a safe path for your professional to walk while working. Snow removal is usually factored into the cost of the ice dam removal, but exceptionally heavy snowfall can drive up the total labor costs.
Once you take care of your ice dam, there are some additional costs to keep in mind to prevent future issues.
Ice dams form when heat from your attic space melts snow on your roof slope, and then the water refreezes when it meets your unheated eaves. Insulating your attic space is the best way to prevent ice dams, so it’s a good idea to budget for new attic insulation costs alongside your ice dam removal. You can expect to pay somewhere between $1,500 and $6,000 to have a local insulation company install new insulation to prevent recurring ice dam problems.
Regular snow removal from your roof is a less expensive alternative to re-insulating your attic, but you’ll usually spend more in the long run, as you’ll need ongoing removal services. You can expect to pay between $250 and $500 each time you need roof snow removal.
Consider investing in regular gutter cleaning to keep your roof in tip-top shape and help prevent ice dams from forming. Melted snowfall can back up in your gutters, turn into ice when temperatures drop below freezing, and potentially lead to ice dams. To prevent this, plan for gutter cleaning costs at least once per year, which average around $160.
Another important thing you should budget for is the cost of a roof inspection, which totals around $230, on average. A roof inspection can help you discover any areas of concern like damaged shingles, water damage, holes, and more that can result from ice dams. You should plan to fix these issues before the harsh winter weather arrives.
Since all of the cost of ice dam removal goes toward labor, you could save an average of $1,200 by doing the work yourself, and potentially as much as $4,000 for large ice dams in less accessible areas of your roof. However, while the cost savings might seem appealing, you should always hire a professional for this service for two important reasons.
First and foremost, getting up on a roof is always dangerous, but getting on a roof covered in slippery snow and ice increases the risk of severe injury. You should always hire a professional for roof work, especially if the work involves ice or snow.
Second, the best method to remove ice dams is using steam, and most DIYers won’t have the necessary equipment to remove ice dams properly. Other methods can damage your roof and lead to even more expensive repairs down the road. As such, it’s always a good idea to hire a local roofing company or roof cleaning pro that specializes in ice dam removal to get the work done safely and properly.
"Your attic should be similar temperature to outside, which eliminates the melting on the roof which then will eliminate the ice problems. Keeping your attic cold through insulation on the attic floor and properly functioning ventilation is the solution."
— Todd Miller, President of Isaiah Industries, Piqua, OH
Ice dam removal is usually pretty straightforward if you hire a professional to do the work for you, but there are a few add-ons you might want or need to consider to prevent ongoing issues or to address related roof damage. Budgeting for the following might be a good idea to ensure you have a comprehensive solution in place.
Gutter repair costs. You could pay between $180 and $560 for gutter repair, but the work could help reduce the risk of new ice dams forming.
Roof heating cable costs. Installing roof heating cables costs between $470 and $1,500, depending on the size of your roof, but they can drastically reduce the risk of ice dams. Roof heating cables can be dangerous, so always be sure to have a pro install them to avoid issues.
Roof leak repair costs. Ice dams can damage your roof and lead to leaking and severe water damage. Professional roof leak repair costs an average of $900 but can prevent more severe issues down the road.
Water damage repair costs. Repairing water damage costs between $1,300 and $6,200 in most cases, but this expense might be necessary if an ice dam leads to severe leaks in your home.
Removing an ice dam can cost as much as $4,000, but there are a few things you can do to keep the cost as low as possible.
Snow removal contract: Signing a contract for the season will help you save money in the long run, and you’ll have guaranteed help on snowy days.
Get multiple quotes: By getting quotes from at least three reputable companies, you can pinpoint the one that’s offering the best deal without sacrificing quality.
Book early: If your home is prone to ice dams, schedule a service ahead of a major snow event. Some companies may offer a discount if they know they’re securing your business.
Upgrade to a metal roof: Ice dams can form on metal roofs, but the risk is much lower, and resulting damage is less likely. If you’re in the market for a new roof anyway, consider upgrading to a metal roof to help prevent issues with ice dams.
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Ice dam removal is costly, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you leave an ice dam as is and don’t take care of it, you’re looking at potentially dangerous situations and high-cost repairs—like roof collapse, leaks, mold problems, gutter damage, and more. Removing ice dams is essential to keeping your home and your family safe in the snowy season.
You should check with your insurance provider, but generally, ice dam removal is not covered by insurance, as it’s considered a preventable issue. However, damage from ice dams may be covered by your policy, including roof collapses. In the case of leaks, your belongings may or may not be covered. If you can’t find specific information on ice dam removal in your policy, give the insurance company a call and find out.
Removing snow from your roof can help prevent ice dams, but the best thing to do is address insulation issues in your attic. If you do decide to remove the snow manually, you should always use a roof rake rather than a shovel. You shouldn’t climb your snowy roof in any circumstance, and roof rake allows you to remove the snow from the ground or a ladder. For the best results, remove snow as soon as possible after it falls.
