Every Syracuse winter brings ice dam calls, and the late-December 2025 storm that dropped two feet of lake-effect snow in a single day brought a wave of them. The pattern is the same each time. The upper roof is warm enough to melt snow, the overhang is cold enough to refreeze it, and a ridge of ice builds along the edge. Meltwater pools behind it, works up under the shingle laps, and shows up as a stain at the top of an outside wall or a drip around a window frame.
Removal comes first when water is getting in. We use low-pressure steam to cut channels and melt the dam off the roof. No hatchets, no chipping, no salt pucks that eat gutters and stain siding. Steam takes the ice without tearing the shingles under it.
Repair follows once things thaw: wet insulation pulled, stained drywall noted for your insurer, and any shingles or underlayment that failed replaced. If the roof has no ice and water shield at the eaves, which is common on older reroofs, that's the moment to talk about it.
Prevention is where the money actually gets saved. Air sealing the attic floor around light fixtures, chimneys and the attic hatch. Rafter baffles so insulation doesn't block the soffit vents. A ridge vent so warm air leaves. And on some houses, a metal ice guard along the eave. Do that and the roof stays as cold as the air outside, and the snow stays snow.
What the job covers
Steam removal
Low-pressure steam cuts the dam off without damaging shingles or gutters.
Leak repair
Failed shingles and underlayment replaced once the roof is clear.
Attic check
Wet insulation, air leaks and blocked soffits found and photographed.
Air sealing
Gaps around fixtures, chimneys and hatches sealed so heat stays downstairs.
Ventilation
Baffles at every rafter bay, ridge vent added or opened up.
Ice guards
Metal eave panels on low-pitched or chronic problem roofs.
Ice dam removal and repair cost
| Job | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Steam removal, typical house | $500 – $1,400 | Length of the dam, snow depth, height |
| Roof snow removal around the dam | $250 – $700 | Done with the steaming when needed |
| Leak repair after the thaw | $400 – $1,500 | Shingles, underlayment, drip edge |
| Rafter baffles and air sealing | $800 – $2,500 | Attic size and access |
| Ridge vent installation | $500 – $1,200 | Length of ridge, existing vents |
| Metal ice guard at the eaves | $15 – $30 per foot | Color and panel height |
Ranges are for budgeting on typical Onondaga County houses. Your number comes after we've seen the roof, written down with the materials named, and it holds for 30 days.
Why ice dams form on Syracuse houses
| Warm attic | Heat leaking from the living space melts the snow on the upper roof even when it's well below freezing outside. |
|---|---|
| Cold eaves | The overhang sits outside the heated envelope, so meltwater refreezes as soon as it reaches it. |
| Deep snow | With 120-plus inches a season, there's always more snow above the dam feeding it. |
| Blocked airflow | Insulation stuffed into the soffits or missing ridge vents trap warm, moist air under the deck. |
What the work looks like
Questions about ice dam repair
Can I knock the icicles off myself?
Small ones from the ground, sure. Don't climb a ladder onto an icy roof edge, and don't chip at the dam itself; that's how shingles get split and gutters get torn off.
Do heat cables work?
They can keep a channel open, but they treat the symptom and use power all winter. Fixing the attic is the real cure. Cables make sense on a few problem spots where airflow can't be fixed.
Will a metal roof stop ice dams?
It helps, because snow slides off metal. But a warm attic still melts snow at the bottom, and a metal roof needs snow guards over doors and walkways.
Is ice dam damage covered by insurance?
Water damage inside from an ice dam is often covered under a homeowner's policy; the ice dam itself and attic fixes usually aren't. Photograph everything before it's cleaned up.
Why do I get ice dams but my neighbor doesn't?
Different insulation, different airflow, different roof shape. Houses with heated rooms under the roof, like finished half-story attics on older Syracuse homes, get them far more.
When should I call?
When you see a thick ridge of ice at the edge, icicles longer than a foot, or any water stain inside. The sooner the dam comes off, the less water gets in.