Ice dams cause more interior water damage claims in Wisconsin than any other roofing issue. Here is how they form, why they keep coming back, and how to stop them permanently.
Ice dams form when heat escaping through the attic melts rooftop snow, which refreezes at the cold eaves. The permanent fix is a three-part system: proper attic insulation (R-49+), balanced ventilation, and ice & water shield membrane along the first 3-6 feet of roof edge. Emergency ice dam removal costs $300–$700; permanent prevention during re-roofing costs far less than repeated damage repairs.
Understanding the mechanism is key to fixing the problem permanently:
We've eliminated recurring ice dams on hundreds of Wisconsin homes. It takes all three components:
If you have an active ice dam causing interior leaking right now:
Professional removal uses steam (not heat or chemicals) to carefully melt the dam without damaging roofing materials. Cost runs $300–$700 per removal depending on accessibility and dam size.
The interior water damage caused by ice dams is typically covered by standard homeowner's insurance. However, the cost of fixing the underlying cause (insulation, ventilation) is considered maintenance and is not covered. DT Exteriors can help document the damage for your claim.
A new roof alone doesn't fix ice dams — it's an attic problem, not a shingle problem. If your contractor didn't address ventilation and insulation during the re-roof, ice dams will continue. We can inspect and recommend the specific fixes your attic needs.
Attic air sealing and insulation upgrade: $2,000–$5,000. Ventilation improvements: $800–$2,500. Ice & water shield (during re-roofing): $500–$1,500 additional. Total investment pays for itself by eliminating repeated emergency removals and interior damage repairs.
Free inspections. Transparent pricing. Lifetime warranty on every project.