IL License Number: 104.017181
IL License Number: 104.017181
Winter weather and heavy snow can create more than a glamorous white roof — without proper care, melting snow can refreeze along roof edges and cause stubborn ice dams. These ice dams can trap melting water, forcing it under shingles, into attic insulation, or even down into your ceilings and walls. Over time, this can lead to leaks, wood rot, mold, damaged fascia and gutters — and costly repairs.
At Holda Construction Roofing & Siding, we combine decades of roofing and ventilation experience to prevent ice dams before they start — and remove them safely when they occur.
While many homeowners believe that ice dams are caused by overflowing or failing gutter systems, this is not the case. Ice dams are most often a sign of air leaks and ventilation issues within the attic.
Understanding this distinction is critical to preventing repeat damage. You can learn more about what causes ice dams — along with common myths and misconceptions — in our blog: Why Ice Dams Form on Roofs.
When ice dams appear, many homeowners look for immediate solutions. Unfortunately, most quick fixes address the symptom, not the cause.
Common approaches include:
These methods can damage shingles, flashing, and gutters, increase the risk of leaks, and offer only temporary relief before the next freeze–thaw cycle.
Without addressing heat loss, insulation, and ventilation issues in the attic, ice dams are likely to return — often worse than before.
We inspect your roof, attic, soffits, vents, insulation, and attic air sealing to identify the root causes of ice dams.
Our inspection looks for common red flags such as:
Our team can safely remove existing ice dams using professional-grade methods — without damaging your roof, gutters, or shingles.
We carefully clear built-up ice to restore proper drainage and reduce the risk of leaks, interior water damage, or structural issues — avoiding dangerous DIY approaches that often cause more harm than good.
We seal common air-leak pathways (around plumbing stacks, light fixtures, attic hatches, and exhaust flues) so warm indoor air doesn’t escape into the attic and warm the roof deck.
We install or improve attic insulation to reduce heat transfer from the living space to the roof, keeping the roof surface cold even under heavy snow.
We design and install balanced attic ventilation systems — including soffit vents, ridge vents, baffle channels, and, when appropriate, power or solar attic fans — to ensure consistent airflow throughout winter.
Because ice dams often overload gutters and damage fascia, we inspect and repair soffit, fascia, and gutter systems as needed to ensure proper drainage and winter durability.
Every home is different. Roof design, attic layout, insulation levels, and ventilation all affect ice dam risk.
We create custom solutions tailored to your home, and once remediation is complete, we can recommend a maintenance plan that may include seasonal inspections, gutter cleaning, and snow-management best practices to help prevent ice dams from returning year after year.
Homes in the Chicagoland area face unique conditions that make ice dams especially common:
Effective ice dam prevention in this region requires solutions tailored specifically to local climate and construction styles — not generic fixes.
Ice dams can lead to interior water damage that may involve homeowners insurance, but coverage is often misunderstood.
In many cases:
Addressing ice dams proactively reduces the risk of costly repairs and insurance complications.
Last year, we resolved a recurring ice dam issue at a home in Inverness, IL, documenting the process with a detailed video and blog. This real-world example shows how identifying the true cause — not just removing ice — led to lasting results.
WHY CHOOSE US?
We bring over two decades of expertise to every project.
Our team is trained and certified by GAF, North America's largest roofing manufacturer.
Work with complete peace of mind knowing that we are fully licensed and insured.
We pride ourselves on effective communication and attention to each customer's unique needs.
We stand by our work with solid roofing and siding service warranties.
5 / 5For a FREE quote or simply to have questions answered, complete the form below and we’ll be happy to help!
Holda Construction Roofing & Siding proudly services the following Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs.
Ice dams occur when warm air from inside the home leaks into the attic, warming the roof deck and melting snow. The meltwater flows down to the cold eaves, refreezes, and gradually builds up into an ice dam, blocking proper drainage.
We recommend hiring professionals to safely remove the ice dams, then assess and remedy attic insulation, ventilation, and air sealing to prevent recurrence.
