An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the edge of the roof that traps melting snow behind it. Call (201) 676-3099 or book a free estimate.
An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the edge of the roof that traps melting snow behind it. The water backs up under the shingles and comes through the ceiling. In North Jersey we see them every January after a snow followed by a freeze. Removal costs $300 to $800 in 2026; the permanent fix, better attic insulation and ventilation, costs $1,500 to $5,000 and pays back in heating bills too.
Why ice dams form
Heat leaks from the house into the attic and warms the roof deck. Snow melts from underneath, runs down to the cold eave over the gutter, and refreezes. The ridge grows, water pools behind it, and it finds the nail holes. The cause is never the gutters and never the roof. It is a warm attic.
Water is coming in right now: do this
Buckets under drips, towels at the wall, move electronics and furniture.
Hammers and axes ruin shingles and gutters. Do not climb onto an icy roof.
Fill a leg of pantyhose with calcium chloride (not rock salt) and lay it across the dam so it melts a channel for water to escape.
We steam ice dams off safely and stop the interior water the same day across North Jersey.
2026 NJ costs
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Steam removal of ice dams, typical house | $300 – $800 |
| Roof rake snow removal, one story | $150 – $350 |
| Interior water damage repair, drywall and paint, one room | $600 – $2,500 |
| Attic air-sealing plus insulation to R-49 | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Add soffit and ridge ventilation | $800 – $2,500 |
| Ice-and-water membrane at eaves (at reroof time) | $400 – $1,200 added |
The permanent fix
- Air-seal the attic floor: around light fixtures, the hatch, plumbing and duct penetrations
- Insulate to R-49 or better (about 14 inches of blown cellulose)
- Make sure soffit vents are open and a ridge vent lets warm air out
- Insulate and seal bathroom fans and ducts so they do not dump heat in the attic
- At the next reroof, run ice-and-water shield 6 feet up from every eave
Questions people ask next
Does insurance cover ice dam damage?
Interior damage from an ice dam is usually covered by NJ homeowners policies as sudden water damage. Removal of the ice itself usually is not. Photograph everything.
Do heat cables stop ice dams?
They keep a channel open in bad spots but do not fix the cause and cost money to run. Use them on a roof valley or a north eave that dams every year, after the attic is fixed.
Will gutter guards stop ice dams?
No. Ice dams form above the gutter on the roof deck. Guards can make the ice ridge worse.
Can you remove an ice dam without damaging the roof?
Yes, with low-pressure steam. Never chipping, never pressure washers, never salt on shingles.
Need a licensed contractor near you?
If you searched “licensed contractor near me” anywhere in New Jersey, that's us. First Call Contracting is based in Paramus and sends its own licensed crew to all 21 counties — written price before work starts, no deposit, a real person on the phone 24/7.
Water coming through the ceiling?
Call the 24/7 line. We remove the dam safely today and give you a written price for the attic fix that stops it next winter.
Or call Alex direct: (201) 676-3099