Ice Dam Removal in Northern Michigan
Heat gets out through the attic, the snow up top melts, and it freezes again at the cold edge of the roof. The water behind that ridge of ice has nowhere to go, so it works its way under the shingles and into your ceiling.
We get the ice off safely, deal with the water that's already in, and help you make sure it doesn't happen again. We cover Charlevoix, Emmet, Antrim and Grand Traverse counties, including Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne City, Charlevoix, Walloon Lake and Bellaire.
How to tell it's an ice dam
A thick ridge of ice along the roof edge or in the gutters
Big icicles, especially with water dripping behind them
Water stains or drips on a ceiling or wall near an outside wall
Wet insulation in the attic
Paint peeling or trim swelling under the eaves
What we do about it
Get the ice off the right way. No chipping, no hammering. We cut channels so the trapped water can drain and take snow weight off the roof edge.
Deal with what's inside. We check ceilings, walls and insulation, and put up temporary protection where it's still leaking.
Document it. We collect photos, thermal imaging, and other documentation for you.
Fix the damage. Drywall, paint and trim repairs are handled by our own crews, through painting and installation.
Stop the next one. Once things settle, we'll go over a prevention plan with you.
Why it happens so much up here
Lake-effect snow piles up fast, and winters go back and forth between freezing and thawing. A lot of lake homes and cottages around Walloon Lake, Torch Lake and Lake Charlevoix have been added onto over the years, so the attic insulation and ventilation are uneven. That's exactly what causes ice dams.
If the house is empty for the winter, a leak can run for weeks before anyone notices.
What to do before we get there
If water is coming in, move furniture and anything valuable away from the drip, and put down towels or a bucket. If a ceiling is sagging with water, stay out from under it. Don't climb onto a snowy roof. Then call or text us and tell us what you're seeing.
If you're not up here
We can check the roof and the inside of the house and send you photos. Your property manager or caretaker can call us for you. → Seasonal maintenance
Where we work
Emmet County: Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay View, Bay Harbor
Charlevoix County: Boyne City, Charlevoix, East Jordan, Walloon Lake
Antrim County: Bellaire, Central Lake, Torch Lake
Grand Traverse County: Traverse City, Acme, Williamsburg
Lake communities: Bay Harbor · Harbor Point · Wequetonsing
Questions people ask
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We'd rather you didn't. Chipping can wreck shingles and gutters, and a snowy roof is no place to be swinging a hammer.
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Often, if it shows up near an outside wall during a cold snap after a lot of snow. We check the roof edge and the inside to be sure.
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Yes. We work with seasonal owners, caretakers and property managers, and send photos of what we find.
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Yes. Once the leak is stopped, we can handle the drywall, paint and trim.
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Most ice dams start with warm air leaking into the attic. Our prevention work goes after that.
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Yes, Northern Trades is fully insured.