Emergency Ice Dam Removal — Northern Michigan
Traverse City · Petoskey · Gaylord · Alpena · Marquette · Houghton · Sault Ste. Marie · Cheboygan · Calumet · Iron Mountain
Safe steam removal with Arctic Steamer® technology. 24/7 scheduling with same-day & next-day arrival anywhere in Northern Michigan. Your insurance likely covers this. Free quote — no obligation.
Northern Michigan is one of the snowiest regions in the entire eastern United States. The Upper Peninsula sits directly in the path of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan snow machines — receiving 150–300+ inches per year in many locations. The northern Lower Peninsula faces intense lake-effect snow from both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Ice dams are an annual reality for virtually every homeowner in Northern Michigan. Don't wait until water is pouring through your ceiling. Our crews are deployed across the region right now.
- Safe Steam Technology — No Roof Damage
- 24/7 Scheduling — Same-Day & Next-Day
- Insurance Typically Covers This
- Arctic Steamer® Professional Equipment
- 400+ Five-Star Reviews
- Free Quote — No Obligation
Get Your Free Quote
Same-day & next-day arrival — Northern Michigan
How Our Steam Ice Dam Removal Works
The only method that removes ice dams without damaging your roof
Arctic Steamer® Technology — Safe, Fast & Effective
Our professional Arctic Steamer® equipment produces low-pressure, high-temperature steam that safely melts ice dams from your roof. Unlike chipping, hacking, or pressure washing — which can crack shingles, dent gutters, and void your warranty — steam removal works without any physical contact with your roofing materials.
The steam penetrates the ice and melts it from the inside out, gently releasing it from your roof, gutters, and downspouts. The entire process typically takes 2 to 4 hours depending on severity, and your roof is left completely intact.
✅ Why Steam Is the ONLY Safe Method:
- Zero roof damage — low-pressure steam, no physical impact
- Protects your shingles — no cracking, denting, or tearing
- Preserves your warranty — manufacturer-approved method
- Complete removal — melts ice all the way down to the surface
- Fast results — professional equipment works in hours
- Chipping with picks or hammers — damages shingles and voids warranty
- Pouring salt or calcium chloride — corrodes metal, kills landscaping
- Pressure washing — forces water under shingles, causes more leaks
- Heat guns or torches — serious fire hazard
You Call Us 24/7
Call our emergency line anytime. We gather details about your ice dam and schedule arrival within 24 hours.
Roof Assessment
Our technician inspects the ice dam, identifies water entry points, and documents any existing damage.
Steam Removal
Using our Arctic Steamer®, we safely melt and remove all ice. No damage to your roof, shingles, or gutters.
Documentation
We provide photos and reports of the work done — helpful if you file an insurance claim for the damage.
What Happens If You Don't Remove Ice Dams?
Every hour you wait, the damage gets worse — and more expensive
Ceiling & Wall Water Damage
Water pooling behind ice dams seeps through your roof and saturates ceilings and walls. Brown stains appear first, followed by bubbling paint, crumbling drywall, and eventually structural damage to framing.
Gutters Ripped Off Your Home
Ice dams can weigh hundreds of pounds. That weight pulls gutters right off your fascia boards, tearing them away and causing expensive structural damage to the roofline of your home.
Interior Flooding & Mold
Unchecked leaks can flood entire rooms, destroying insulation, flooring, furniture, and electronics — and creating ideal conditions for dangerous mold growth within 24–48 hours.
Northern Michigan Winters Make Ice Dams Especially Dangerous
Northern Michigan gets hit from every angle. The Upper Peninsula sits at the crossroads of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron — all three funneling moisture-laden air across the region. Houghton, Ironwood, and Calumet regularly receive over 200 inches of snow per year. The northern Lower Peninsula from Traverse City to Cheboygan gets relentless lake-effect snowfall from Lake Michigan.
Every time temperatures swing above and below freezing, snow on your roof partially melts. That water runs downhill, hits the cold overhang, and refreezes — growing the ice dam bigger with each cycle. Northern Michigan's older homes, UP mining-era houses, and lakeside cottages are especially vulnerable because many lack modern insulation and ventilation systems.
- Day 1–3: Small drips, minor water stains on ceilings
- Day 4–7: Spreading water damage, saturated insulation
- Week 2+: Mold begins growing in walls and attic
- Week 3+: Structural damage to framing, potential ceiling collapse
💰 The Average Ice Dam Damage Repair Costs $5,000 – $15,000+
Ice dam removal costs a fraction of that — and your insurance likely covers both the removal and the repairs. Stop the damage now.
Call (906) 376-0272🚨 The Hidden Danger: Attic & Wall Mold
Ice dam leaks don't just cause water stains — they create the perfect breeding ground for dangerous mold
Severe Attic Mold on Roof Sheathing
When ice dam water seeps into your attic, it saturates the OSB or plywood sheathing. Within weeks, black mold covers the entire underside of your roof deck.
Mold Destroying Attic Insulation
Wet insulation is a mold magnet. Once saturated from ice dam leaks, it loses all R-value and becomes a breeding ground for mold spores.
Black Mold on Structural Beams
Mold eats into wood — structural beams, joists, and rafters lose their integrity, creating a safety hazard for your entire home.
Mold Spores Activate
Moisture triggers dormant mold spores. Invisible growth begins on wood surfaces.
Visible Colonies Form
Dark spots appear on sheathing, joists, and insulation. Musty odors may begin.
Widespread Contamination
Mold spreads across your attic. Spores enter your HVAC and circulate through your home.
Structural Damage
Wood begins to rot. Full remediation now requires gutting all affected areas.
🚨 Mold Remediation Costs $5,000 – $30,000+ — Ice Dam Removal Costs a Fraction of That
Remove the ice dam now, stop the moisture at the source, and protect your family and your home.
Your Insurance Likely Pays for This
Most homeowner policies cover ice dam removal and the damage it causes
We Help Make the Insurance Process Easy
Here's something most Northern Michigan homeowners don't know: your homeowner's insurance policy almost certainly covers ice dam removal and the resulting water damage. This typically falls under your dwelling coverage — the same coverage that protects your home from storms, hail, and wind damage. We document everything thoroughly so your claim process goes smoothly.
When we come out to remove your ice dam, we thoroughly document everything — before photos, during photos, after photos, and a detailed report of the damage we found and the work we performed. This documentation is exactly what your insurance company needs to process your claim smoothly.
✅ What We Provide to Support Your Claim:
- Photo documentation — Before, during, and after the ice dam removal
- Damage assessment report — Detailed notes on what we found
- Professional invoice — Clean documentation for your insurer
- Scope of work — Clear description of services performed
Call Us for Service
We come out, assess the damage, and remove the ice dam with our Arctic Steamer®. We document everything thoroughly with photos and reports.
File Your Claim
Contact your insurance company and file a claim for ice dam damage. Use the documentation and photos we provided to support your claim.
Get Reimbursed
Your insurer reviews the documentation and processes your claim. Our thorough documentation helps ensure a smooth approval process.
We're Available Right Now — 24/7
Same-day & next-day arrival with a 24-hour arrival window — Northern Michigan
24/7 Scheduling
Our phone lines are open around the clock — days, nights, weekends, holidays. When ice dams strike anywhere in Northern Michigan, we answer.
24-Hour Arrival Window
Once you schedule, our crew arrives within 24 hours. Teams positioned throughout the region for the fastest possible response.
Licensed & Fully Insured
We carry full liability insurance and workers' compensation. Your home and our crew are fully protected on every job.
We Service All of Northern Michigan
Every city and town — call to confirm service at your location
Northern Lower Peninsula
- Traverse City
- Petoskey
- Gaylord
- Alpena
- Cheboygan
- Rogers City
- Boyne City
- Charlevoix
- Bellaire
- Elk Rapids
- Cadillac
- Mio
Eastern Upper Peninsula
- Sault Ste. Marie
- St. Ignace
- Newberry
- Munising
- Seney
- McMillan
- Paradise
- Manistique
- Escanaba
- Gladstone
- Engadine
- Naubinway
Western Upper Peninsula
- Marquette
- Houghton
- Hancock
- Calumet
- Ironwood
- Iron Mountain
- Iron River
- Crystal Falls
- L'Anse
- Baraga
- Negaunee
- Ishpeming
Ice Dam Removal FAQs
Common questions from homeowners in Northern Michigan
Our Arctic Steamer® equipment produces low-pressure, high-temperature steam that melts ice dams safely from your roof — no chipping, no hammering, no pressure washing. Your shingles, gutters, and roof deck are completely untouched. The process typically takes 2–4 hours depending on severity.
In most cases, yes. Homeowner's insurance policies typically cover ice dam removal and the water damage it causes under your dwelling coverage. We provide thorough photo documentation and detailed reports you can submit with your claim. We're not adjusters — we just make sure you have all the documentation you need.
We offer 24/7 scheduling with same-day and next-day arrival. Once you schedule, our crews arrive within a 24-hour window. During major storms, we prioritize homes with active water leaks.
Ice dams cause water to pool and seep under your shingles every time temperatures fluctuate — leading to ceiling stains, wall damage, ruined insulation, mold growth, and structural rot. The damage escalates quickly. What starts as a small drip can become thousands of dollars in repairs within days.
Absolutely — mold can begin growing within 24–48 hours of a leak. Ice dam water saturates attic sheathing, joists, and insulation. Mold remediation costs $5,000–$30,000+. The best prevention is removing the ice dam before moisture does lasting damage.
Costs vary based on the size and severity of the ice dam, roof accessibility, and location. We provide a completely free, no-obligation quote before any work begins. Your homeowner's insurance likely covers the cost. Call (906) 376-0272 for your free quote.
Yes! Prevention methods include heated roof cables, heated gutters, proper attic insulation, adequate roof ventilation, and proactive roof snow removal. Many older Northern Michigan homes — particularly UP mining-era houses and northwoods cabins — benefit significantly from improved attic insulation and ventilation. We can assess your home after removing your current ice dam.
Have more questions? We're here 24/7.
🚨 Don't Wait — Ice Dams Get Worse Every Day
24/7 scheduling. Same-day & next-day arrival. Free quote. Insurance typically covers it. Serving every city and town across all of Northern Michigan.