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Ice Dams
Ice Dam Removal and Prevention: what it covers
Quick answer
An ice dam forms when heat escaping from the house melts snow on the roof and the water refreezes at the cold eave, backing meltwater under the shingles. A roofer removes the ice safely with controlled steam or careful hand work and then addresses the cause: attic air leaks, thin insulation and poor ventilation.
The big ridge of ice along an eave, with icicles hanging over the door, looks like a winter nuisance. It is a roof failure in progress. Water trapped behind the ice has nowhere to go but up and under the shingles, and from there it can reach insulation, ceilings and wall cavities. The stain on the bedroom ceiling in February is usually the first you know of it.
The mechanism is simple. Heat from the rooms below leaks into the attic and warms the roof deck. Snow on the warm part of the roof melts, runs down to the cold overhang and freezes again. Over days the frozen edge grows into a dam, and the next melt pools behind it. Roughly 45 inches of snow falls in a typical winter in the Danbury area, which is plenty to build one.
Removing ice treats the symptom. Fixing the attic cures the cause. Sherman Roofing is a call line, not a roofing crew. You describe the ice and any leaks, and the call is put through to an independent local roofer who serves your town. Active leaks come first, and the attic work is planned afterward. Call (833) 751-2102 to start.
Do not stand under an icy eave. Falling ice and snow can injure people, and ice-laden gutters can tear away. Keep children and pets clear, and never chop at an ice dam from a ladder.
A thick ridge of ice along the eave, often with long icicles hanging below it and snow still sitting on the upper roof
Water stains on a ceiling or at the top of an exterior wall that appear during a thaw or after a cold snap
Icicles that form along one side of the house far more than the other, pointing to heat loss on that side
Snow that melts off the upper roof first while the eave stays frozen under a cap of ice
Damp or frosted attic sheathing, or insulation that is compressed and wet near the eaves
Peeling paint or damp patches on the soffit and the fascia board
Gutters packed with ice or pulled away from the house
Cost
How much does ice dam removal and prevention cost in Sherman?
Ice dam work is priced by how much ice there is, how high it is and how hard it is to reach. This page prints no figure, and the roofer confirms the price on site.
Ice Dam Removal and Prevention pricing in Fairfield County (2026)
Job
Typical range
What it includes
Ice removal
Quoted on site
Length of eave, thickness of ice, height of the roof and whether it is safe to work set the time
Interior water damage
Separate trades
Wet insulation and drywall are repaired after the roof is dry and the cause is fixed
Air sealing and insulation
Quoted by the contractor
Attic size, current insulation and access determine the scope
Ventilation upgrades
Per vent run
Soffit and ridge vents work together; ask how airflow will be kept clear
Ice barrier at eaves
Part of a re-roof
Usually added when shingles are replaced, not on its own
Your exact price is set by the roofer after inspection and confirmed in writing before any work starts.
Ice along the lake-side eave of a converted Sherman cottage
What homeowners notice
After a week of cold and a sunny thaw, a thick ridge of ice sits along the eave of a former summer cottage near Candlewood Lake, and a brown ring is growing on the ceiling just inside the exterior wall. The house has only ever had a thin layer of attic insulation.
What we do
The roofer cuts drainage channels through the ice without chopping at the shingles, then looks at the attic and finds a bath fan duct ending under the insulation, an unsealed hatch and bare joists near the eaves. The written quote separates the ice work from air sealing, insulation and clearing the soffit vents.
What to expect
The homeowner understands that clearing the ice treats the symptom, and holds a plan for the attic work that stops the dam forming on the next cold snap.
A winter visit for the ice, then attic work scheduled separately typical visit
Options
Types and options for ice dam removal and prevention
Ice removal at the eaves
Clearing channels through the ice so water can run off. It is a short-term job done in cold conditions and does nothing about the cause. It is the right first step when water is already entering the house.
Attic air sealing and insulation
The lasting fix. Sealing the gaps that let warm air rise and adding insulation keeps the roof cold enough that snow melts evenly. Published guidance for cold climates often cites attic insulation in the R-49 to R-60 range, but the right level depends on the house.
Roof edge rebuild
On a roof that has leaked repeatedly, the eave may need a self-adhering ice barrier under the shingles. It limits damage when a dam forms, though it does not stop dams. See roof replacement for how it is added.
Heat cables
Electric cables along the eave keep a channel open. They are a stop-gap that costs to run and can fail, and they do not address the cause. Ask whether the roofer recommends one for a particular spot.
Still stuck? We pick up 24/7.
If it's an emergency, call now. For non-urgent ice dam removal and prevention, send the form and we'll call you back.
Many Candlewood Lake cottages were built for summer and later converted for year-round use. Their attics were not designed to hold winter heat, so insulation is thin and air leaks are common. Heat escapes upward, melts snow from beneath and refreezes it at the cold edge. Fixing the attic fixes the dam.
The pattern is common in houses with finished knee-walls, cathedral ceilings and low-pitched additions, where there is little room for insulation or for air to flow under the roof deck.
Not from the roof. Climbing onto an icy slope is dangerous, and chopping at ice tears shingles and flashing. From the ground, a roof rake can clear snow from the first few feet of the eave, and that can ease the problem. Anything beyond that is a job for a roofer.
A roof rake with a long handle pulls snow off the lowest part of the roof before it melts and refreezes. Do it from firm ground, never from a ladder, and stay out from under the load.
Rock salt can damage shingles, gutters and plantings, so ask before using it. A roofer has safer methods.
Does ice dam removal stop leaks for good?
No. Removal gives the water a path out and relieves the immediate leak. If the attic still leaks heat, a new dam will form the next time snow lies on the roof. The permanent fix is air sealing, enough insulation and a ventilated roof deck.
Think of it as two jobs. The first is urgent, done in cold weather and meant to prevent damage this week. The second is planned, done in the attic when the weather is milder, and meant to prevent next winter's dam.
When should I call about ice?
Call at once if water is coming through a ceiling or wall. Otherwise call when ice builds along the eaves and does not clear in a few days, or if you see stains. Waiting for spring usually means the leak has run for weeks, soaking insulation and framing in the meantime.
An active leak in winter is an emergency leak, and the page on emergency roof leak repair explains the first steps. Ice with no leak can be scheduled, though sooner is better.
Our process
How our ice dam removal and prevention visit works
Describe the ice and any leaks
Say how thick the ice is, which eaves are involved and whether water is coming in. A leak moves the job to the top of the list, and the roofer decides how and when to work around ice and weather.
Remove the ice safely
A roofer typically uses controlled low-pressure steam or careful hand work to cut channels in the ice and let meltwater drain. Chipping with axes or hammers tears shingles and is not recommended.
Check what water reached
The roofer looks for wet insulation, damp sheathing and ceiling stains. Mention any stains you have noticed, and photograph them, so the extent can be seen.
Find where the heat is getting out
Recessed lights, attic hatches, bath fan ducts, chimney chases and open wall tops let warm air into the attic. The roofer or an insulation contractor identifies these and recommends sealing.
Improve insulation and ventilation
Air sealing, more insulation and a clear path for air from the soffits to the ridge keep the roof deck cold. See attic insulation and ventilation for the long-term work.
Fairfield County
Why ice dam removal and prevention is different in Western Connecticut lake country
Northwestern Connecticut and the Hudson Highlands see roughly 45 inches of snow in a typical winter by most estimates. Snow season runs from late October to mid-April, with January the snowiest month. That long season, with repeated thaws and freezes, is what builds ice dams on north-facing eaves and over porches.
The housing makes it worse. Cottages built as summer places and later turned into year-round homes often have little insulation and many gaps in the ceiling plane. Lake homes with cathedral ceilings or vaulted rooms have very little space under the roof deck for insulation and air, so the roof is warmer than it should be.
Hillside and wooded lots add trouble. Shade keeps north slopes cold, so snow lingers where the sun cannot reach, and steep, icy driveways make it hard for a crew to get close. Tell the line how the house is reached, and whether the eave in question is above a door, a walkway or a deck.
Where we work
Ice Dam Removal and Prevention across Fairfield County
An ice dam forms when heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the warm part of the roof, and the water refreezes at the cold eave.
Read the guide
FAQ
Ice Dam Removal and Prevention FAQs
Can a roofer remove ice the same day?
That depends on the roofer's schedule, the weather and whether it is safe. The line is answered at any hour, but no arrival time is promised. If water is coming in, say so when you call.
Will ice dam removal damage my shingles?
Done with controlled steam or careful hand work, it should not. Chipping with tools is what tears shingles. Ask the roofer how the ice will be removed.
Do heat cables solve ice dams?
They keep a drainage channel open but do not remove the cause, and they use electricity. The attic is where the lasting fix lies.
How much insulation does my attic need?
Guidance for cold climates often points to R-49 to R-60, but the right amount depends on the house and what is already there. An insulation contractor or the roofer can assess it.
Does a new roof prevent ice dams?
Not by itself. A new roof with an ice barrier limits leaks when dams form, but the attic still needs sealing and insulation. See roof replacement.
Will insurance cover ice dam damage?
That depends on your policy and your insurer, and this line cannot say. Photograph the damage, keep receipts and ask your insurer what is needed.
