Ice Dam Remediation
Steam-based ice dam removal — no chipping, no shingle damage. We clear the dam in 30–90 minutes and assess attic insulation to prevent recurrence.
At a glance
- Typical cost
- $400–$1,800
- Typical timeline
- 30–90 minutes per removal call
- Warranty
- Manufacturer + workmanship warranty — full details at signing
- Service area
- Available across 14 lakes-area communities
Ice Dams
What's involved
Ice dams form when heat escaping through the attic warms the roof deck above freezing while the eave stays below — snow melt runs down the slope, hits the cold overhang, and refreezes into a dam. The ice and water shield at the eave is designed for this, but a severe dam can back water up several feet and overwhelm it.
Silver Loon Roofing uses commercial steam equipment to remove ice dams — not axes, chippers, or heat cables. Steam melts channels through the ice without the mechanical impact that causes cracked shingles and gouged surfaces, especially when shingles are cold and brittle at single-digit temperatures. A standard dam clears in 30 to 90 minutes.
Every ice dam removal call includes an attic assessment. Ice dams are a symptom, not the root problem — the root problem is heat loss through inadequate insulation or ventilation. We look at your attic insulation depth, the soffit-to-ridge ventilation path, and any obvious air leaks, then give you a specific recommendation for reducing future ice dam formation.
For lake owners
Away all winter?
A lot of our lake customers aren't up here between Thanksgiving and ice-out. That's exactly when ice dams do the most damage — nobody sees the ridge of ice building at the eave until water is already staining a porch ceiling. We check vacant cabins through the season on request and send photo updates from the field so you can see the roof and gutter line without driving up from the Cities. Catching a dam early, before it backs water under the shingles, is a steam call and a ventilation fix. Catching it in April is a much bigger job.
RenderingRendering — a metal roof sheds snow and ice differently than shingles, one reason lake owners ask about it during ice dam prevention.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does steam-based ice dam removal work, and why is it safer than other methods?
We use a commercial steam unit that melts channels through the ice dam without the mechanical impact that chipping and chopping causes. Chipping can crack shingles and damage the granule surface, especially when shingles are cold and brittle at 10–20°F. Steam creates a clean drainage channel in 30–90 minutes depending on dam size.
How do I prevent ice dams from forming on my Minnesota home?
Ice dams form when heat escapes through the attic and warms the roof deck, melting snow that refreezes at the colder eave. The long-term fix is adequate attic insulation (R-49 to R-60 is the Minnesota recommendation for most zones) and proper soffit-to-ridge ventilation. We assess both after an ice dam removal job and give you a specific recommendation — not a generic upgrade pitch.
My cabin sits empty most of the winter. Can you check on it?
Yes. We do winter roof checks for owners who aren't up here between Thanksgiving and spring — walking the eaves, gutters, and any known trouble spots, and sending you photos so you can see the roof without the drive. If we spot ice building at the eave, we can schedule steam removal before it backs water into the house.
How do I know if my cabin already has ice dam damage while I have been away?
Watch for brown or yellow ceiling stains under the eave line and peeling paint near soffits when you return — both mean water already got under the shingles. If you can't check in person, ask for a winter roof check. We photograph the eaves and gutters and flag anything that needs attention before you drive up.
More services
Other services we offer
Service area
Available across the lakes
We bring ice dams to every lake home and cabin community we serve — the same licensed crew and written estimate process in every town.
All service areas
Where we do ice dams
Get a written estimate for ice dams
We inspect, assess, and give you a line-item written estimate before any work starts. No surprise charges, no pressure to sign on the day of inspection.