Ice dam and icicle control
Where ice at the eaves comes from, and what the gutter side of the fix looks like.
Ice dam and icicle control means stopping meltwater from refreezing at the roof edge and backing up under shingles, and making sure the gutters and downspouts can carry off what does melt. For Wausau-area homes, the fix usually involves the attic as much as the gutter, and the company you're connected with can tell you which parts of the job it handles.
What causes an ice dam?
North Dakota State University Extension describes it this way: heat from the living space leaks into the attic and melts snow on the upper roof. The water runs down to the eave, which is colder because it hangs past the warm walls, and refreezes. That ridge of ice traps more meltwater behind it, and the water can back up under shingles and into walls and ceilings.
Signs you have an ice dam problem
- A thick ridge of ice along the roof edge
- Large icicles in the same spots every winter
- Water stains on ceilings or walls near exterior walls
- Frost or damp insulation in the attic
- Gutters packed with ice and pulling away
What fixes the cause?
NDSU Extension's advice focuses on the attic: seal openings where plumbing, wiring and lights pass into it, seal attic hatches, add insulation (it suggests attics in northern climates need roughly 18 inches), and vent the attic with soffit and ridge or gable vents and baffles that keep insulation from blocking soffit airflow. For the short term, it recommends a roof rake used from the ground to clear the lower few feet of snow, staying clear of power lines.
What can be done at the gutter?
- Clear, secure gutters. Gutters free of debris and hung on strong hangers drain when temperatures allow.
- Heat cable. Cable run in the gutter and downspout can keep a path open for meltwater. A University of Minnesota fact sheet cautioned that heat tapes melt only a narrow strip, can create secondary dams and use a lot of energy, so they're a supplement, not a cure.
- Larger downspouts. Bigger outlets are slower to freeze shut.
- Discharge away from walks. Meltwater dumped on a sidewalk refreezes as a sheet of ice.
What affects the cost?
- Length of eave and gutter that needs heat cable
- Electrical work for outlets and controls, done by someone qualified for it
- Gutter repairs from past ice damage
- Whether attic work is part of the plan, and who does it
We don't set prices. Each company quotes its own work.
Gutter fix, attic fix or both?
If ice dams are severe or water is getting inside, the attic is where the lasting fix is. Gutter-side work keeps meltwater moving and protects the gutter itself. Often the answer is both. If ice has already bent your gutters, see snow and ice damage repair.
Communities we cover
Common questions
Do heat cables stop ice dams?
They can keep a channel open for meltwater in a gutter or along the eave, but they don't fix the attic heat that causes ice dams. A University of Minnesota fact sheet noted that heat tapes melt only a few inches around the cable and use a lot of energy.
Should I chip ice off the roof?
No. Chopping at ice can damage shingles and gutters. Extension advice is to use a roof rake from the ground and stay clear of overhead power lines.
Are icicles always a problem?
A few small icicles are common. Large icicles in the same spot every year, or water stains inside, point to heat loss or a drainage problem worth looking at.
Related services
- Gutter guards and covers
- Heavy-duty seamless gutters
- Snow and ice damage repair
- Downspouts and meltwater drainage
More background: Marathon County gutter guard guide.
Icicles, overflow or a gutter full of seeds?
Call and get connected with a local installer who works on Wausau-area roofs.