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— Ice Dam Damage · WI & IA
That ridge of ice is leaking into your home.
An ice dam isn't just icicles. A warm attic melts snow up high, the water runs down and refreezes at the cold eaves, then backs up under your shingles and into the ceilings and walls. We stop the leak, then fix the cause.
Free inspection
WI & IA · We respond in 2 hours
Get a free ice dam inspection.
If water's coming in, call us, we respond 24/7. Otherwise, request a free inspection: we'll find where the dam is backing water up, document any damage for your claim, and show you how to stop it coming back. We respond within 2 hours.
— What Ice Dams Do
SEC 01 / 07
The damage starts where you can't see it.
By the time water shows up on a ceiling, it has already been running behind the scenes. These are the signs an ice dam is doing damage, inside and out.
Thick ice at the eaves
A solid ridge of ice along the gutters and roof edge, often with large icicles, is the dam itself, and a warning sign, not just winter decor.
Ceiling & wall stains
Brown rings, bubbling paint, or damp drywall on upper-floor ceilings and walls mean water has already backed in under the shingles.
Soaked attic insulation
Water that backs up wets the attic insulation, which loses its R-value and stays damp, feeding mold and more heat loss.
Rotting roof decking
Repeated moisture under the shingles rots the roof decking and rafters, the structural layer the whole roof depends on.
Damaged gutters
The weight of ice pulls gutters off the fascia and bends them, and a clogged or wrong-pitched gutter makes dams worse.
Lifted & loosened shingles
Water freezing and thawing under the shingles lifts and loosens them, breaking the seal that keeps the next rain out.
— The Real Cause
SEC 02 / 07
An ice dam is an attic problem, not just a roof one.
Chipping the ice off treats the symptom. The reason it formed is heat escaping into the attic, and that's what has to be fixed so it doesn't come back:
— How We Fix It
SEC 03 / 07
We do both, so it doesn't come back next winter.
Anyone can knock the ice down. Doing it right means repairing the water damage and addressing why the dam formed, so you're not calling someone again at the next thaw.
Stop the leak & repair the damage
Fix the cause
— Insurance & The Claim
SEC 04 / 07
Sudden interior water damage is often covered.
When an ice dam causes sudden interior damage, many homeowner policies cover it. We document it properly and work with any carrier. You typically pay only your deductible.
01
Stop & inspect
We stop active leaks, then inspect the roof, attic, and interior for all the damage.
02
Document the claim
We photograph and document the damage in the format your adjuster needs.
03
Work with the adjuster
We walk the damage with your adjuster so nothing legitimate is missed.
04
Repair & prevent
Our crews repair the damage and address the cause so it doesn't recur.
— What Homeowners Say
Reviews
— Home Base
Madison, WI · Centerville, IA
— Ice Dam FAQ
SEC 06 / 07
It’s a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of your roof. Heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the upper roof; that water runs down and refreezes where the eaves stay cold, building a dam that backs water up under the shingles and into the home. See the cause →
Because the root cause hasn’t been fixed. Dams keep coming back when the attic is too warm and unevenly ventilated. Until the ventilation and insulation are addressed, the roof keeps melting snow that refreezes at the edge. Attic ventilation →
We don’t recommend it. Chipping at ice on a roof is dangerous and can damage the shingles, and it doesn’t fix why the dam formed. It’s better to stop the leak properly and address the cause so it doesn’t return.
Often, yes. Sudden interior water damage from an ice dam is covered by many homeowner policies when documented properly, and you typically pay only your deductible. We document it for your claim and work with any carrier. Coverage is determined by your insurer. How the claim works →
We address the cause, attic ventilation and insulation, which is what keeps the roof deck cold and even so dams don’t form. Combined with clear, well-pitched gutters, it’s the lasting fix, not just a seasonal patch. Gutter repair →
For an active interior leak we respond 24/7. For inspections we respond to requests within 2 hours during business hours and schedule promptly. The sooner we stop the water, the less interior damage you face.
— Related
SEC 07 / 07
Storm, winter & prevention.
24/7 Emergency · Free Inspection
Stop the leak. Then stop it coming back.
Call now if water's coming in, we respond 24/7 to protect your home. Or request a free inspection and we'll document the damage for your claim and show you the ventilation fix that ends the cycle. You pay your deductible, we handle the rest.
Insurance coverage, claim approval, scope, and out-of-pocket cost depend on your policy, deductible, and the documented cause and extent of damage; coverage is determined by your insurer, not by Buckshot, and outcomes vary by claim. We are not Iowa public adjusters, nor do we offer public adjusting services. Iowa Code §522C. Ice dam prevention depends on attic ventilation, insulation, and site conditions; no measure fully guarantees against ice dams in all weather. Emergency response limits but cannot guarantee against further damage. Financing is provided through third-party lenders (Service Finance Company, LLC), subject to approval. WI Lic. DC-080900045 · IL Lic. 104017198 · Family-Owned Since 1979.