Home / Residential Roofing / Ice Dam Removal
— Ice Dam Removal & Prevention · WI & IA
Stop the leak. Then stop it from happening again.
Ice dams aren't just a snow problem, they're a ventilation problem. We safely remove the dam and the leak it's causing now, then fix the underlying attic ventilation so you're not paying to chip ice off your roof every winter.
Free ice dam quote
WI & IA · We respond in 2 hours
Tell us what's happening up there.
Active leak or a recurring problem, tell us which and a Buckshot team member responds fast. For an active interior leak we move same-day; for prevention we inspect, find the ventilation cause, and lay out the fix. We respond within 2 hours, and the storm line is answered 24/7.
— How An Ice Dam Forms
SEC 01 / 07
It starts in your attic, not on your roof.
An ice dam looks like a roof problem, but it's driven by heat escaping into the attic. Understanding the cycle is why our fix lasts and a quick ice-chipping does not.
Attic heat escapes
Warm air from the house leaks into a poorly ventilated attic and heats the underside of the roof.
Snow melts mid-roof
That heat melts the snow on the warm upper roof, and the meltwater runs down toward the eaves.
It refreezes at the edge
At the cold overhang the water refreezes into a ridge of ice, the dam, that grows with each freeze-thaw.
Water backs up under shingles
Trapped behind the dam, water backs up under the shingles and finds its way into the ceiling and walls.
— Why You Can't Ignore It
SEC 02 / 07
A dam left alone gets expensive, fast.
The ice itself isn't the real threat, it's the water it forces under your roof. Left unaddressed, an ice dam can cause damage well beyond the roofline.
Roof & decking damage
Water under the shingles rots the decking and can damage rafters, leading to a far bigger repair than the original leak.
Interior & ceiling damage
Stained ceilings, peeling paint, soaked insulation, and damaged drywall, the visible signs that water already got in.
Mold & lingering moisture
Trapped moisture in walls and insulation can lead to mold and ongoing air-quality problems long after the ice is gone.
— The Honest Fix
SEC 03 / 07
Chipping ice every winter isn't a solution.
Plenty of companies will keep coming back to knock the ice off, year after year, for a fee each time. We'd rather fix why it forms. Here's the difference.
The quick patch
Just removing the ice
Clearing the dam stops today's leak, but if nothing else changes, the same conditions rebuild it within weeks.
The Buckshot way
Remove it, then fix the cause
We safely clear the dam and the leak, then address the attic ventilation and insulation that let it form in the first place.
— Lasting Prevention
SEC 04 / 07
Keep the roof cold, keep the dams away.
— Leaking Right Now?
SEC 05 / 07
An active ice-dam leak does more damage every hour it continues. Our emergency line is answered around the clock, and we move fast to stop the water and protect your home. Please don't climb on an icy roof yourself, let us handle it safely.
— How We Handle It
SEC 06 / 07
From the call to a roof that stays clear.
Whether it's an emergency or a recurring headache, the path is the same: stop the immediate problem, then solve the cause.
01
Fast response
Call or submit the form. For an active leak we move same-day; the line is answered 24/7.
02
Safe removal
We clear the dam and stop the leak without damaging the roof, no reckless chipping or hacking.
03
Find the cause
We inspect the attic ventilation and insulation to pinpoint why the dam formed.
04
Fix it for good
We correct ventilation, sealing, and waterproofing so the dams stop coming back.
— Home Base
Madison, WI · Centerville, IA
— Ice Dam FAQ
SEC 07 / 07
Common ice dam questions.
Heat. Warm air escaping into a poorly ventilated attic heats the roof deck, which melts snow on the upper roof. That water runs down to the cold eaves and refreezes into a dam, then backs water up under the shingles. It’s fundamentally a ventilation and insulation problem, not just a snow problem. See the full cycle →
Please don’t climb on an icy roof, it’s dangerous, and chipping at ice with tools commonly damages shingles and flashing, creating new leaks. If water is coming in, call our 24/7 line and we’ll remove it safely. We can also advise on safe interim steps over the phone.
If only the ice is removed, yes, usually within weeks. That’s why we don’t stop at removal: we diagnose and correct the attic ventilation and insulation that cause the dam, so it stops recurring. Chipping ice every winter treats the symptom; fixing airflow treats the cause. The honest fix →
Often, sudden water damage from an ice dam is covered, though coverage varies by policy. We document the damage and can help you understand your options. If it’s a covered claim, we handle the documentation and coordinate with your insurer. Insurance claims help →
By keeping the roof deck cold and water out: balanced attic ventilation (ridge and soffit), air sealing and insulation to stop heat loss, and ice & water shield membrane at the eaves during roof work. Together these break the melt-refreeze cycle. How prevention works →
We serve homeowners across Wisconsin and southern Iowa, based in Madison with a field office in Centerville, exactly the kind of Midwest winters that produce ice dams. Enter your zip in the form and we’ll confirm we cover your area. Family-owned since 1979.
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More
Related services.
Free Inspection · 24/7 Emergency
End the every-winter ice dam cycle.
Whether you've got water coming in right now or you're tired of the same problem every year, we'll stop it safely and fix the cause. GAF Master Elite, family-owned since 1979, we respond within 2 hours and answer the storm line 24/7.
Ice dam removal and prevention outcomes depend on roof design, attic conditions, insulation, weather, and the specific home; results and insurance coverage vary. Please do not attempt removal from an icy roof yourself. We are not Iowa public adjusters, nor do we offer public adjusting services. Iowa Code §522C. WI Lic. DC-080900045 · GAF Master Elite Certified · Family-Owned Since 1979.