Ice dams on your roof?

An ice dam is a ridge of ice along the roof edge that traps meltwater, which then backs up under the shingles and can leak inside. The cause is usually heat escaping into the attic. Clear snow from the lower roof with a roof rake from the ground, and never chip the ice.

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Is water already coming inside?

A stain or drip means the meltwater has got under the roofing. Roof leaking

Likely causes

Heat escaping into the attic
Most commonCall a pro
Snow melts high on the roof while the edge stays frozen. Insulation is thin or uneven, and air leaks around attic hatches, lights or pipes let warm air up.
Weak attic ventilation
CommonCall a pro
The attic feels warm in winter or the underside of the roof shows frost or damp. Vents at the eaves or ridge may be blocked or missing.
Clogged gutters
CommonModerate DIY
Gutters are full of leaves or debris, and ice builds up in them and along the roof edge.
Sun-and-freeze cycles
Less commonEasy DIY
Daytime sun melts the snow and nights refreeze it at the edge, so ice builds up even with a well-sealed attic.

Quick checks

Stay off the roof, especially when it is icy, snowy, steep or more than one story: falls are the main risk. Keep ladders and roof rakes away from the service wires. Never chip ice with a hammer, axe or pick; it damages shingles and is dangerous. If water is near a light fixture or outlet, switch off that circuit at the breaker.

From the ground, clear snow from the lower few feet of the roof with a roof rake. This lets meltwater drain instead of pooling.
Don't chip, hack or pick at the ice. It damages shingles and is dangerous.
Photograph icicles and ice along the roof edge, and any ceiling stains near outside walls.
If you can safely reach the attic, look for frost, damp wood or gaps where warm air rises. The lasting fix is insulation, air sealing and ventilation, which a pro can assess.
If water is coming in, catch it and see roof leaking.

Sharpen the read

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No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

icicles or ice along the roof edge
the roof area above it, taken from the ground
the ceiling or wall stain, with something for scale
the attic underside near the outside wall, if you can safely get there

Add a note or more photos next. Nobody calls you.

When to call a pro

Call a roofer or ice dam removal service if the dam is thick, water is coming inside, or you can't reach it from the ground. Have the attic's insulation and ventilation assessed so it doesn't return. For the bigger picture, see the roof guide.

Typical cost: HomeAdvisor puts ice dam removal at an average of $1,200 ($650–2,000). Steaming runs $800–2,100 and heat cables $470–1,500. Insulation, ventilation and interior water damage are not priced here.

Sources: HomeAdvisor: How much does ice dam removal cost? (updated June 19, 2026)

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