Ice Dam Removal: Protect Your Home This Winter

Urbantree workers are trained for professional ice dam removal, utilizing a red boom lift and steam equipment to clear dangerous ice buildup from a snowy home's roof in Minneapolis, MN.

Categories: Yard Care, Winter Tree Care, Winter Tree Trimming

Ice Dam Removal: What It Is, Why It Leaks, and What To Do Next (MN Homeowners)

December 16, 2025

Ice issues on roofs aren’t about appearances. Instead, they’re about stopping standing water from backing up under shingles and leaking into your home.

If you live in the Twin Cities Metro, including Maple Grove and nearby areas, this winter home hazard appears almost every year when conditions align.

What Is an Ice Dam and Why Ice Dam Removal Matters

Ice dam forming along a roof edge, blocking drainage and forcing water backward — Ice dams block roof drainage and force melting snowwater back under shingles.

Ice dams block roof drainage and trap melting snowwater behind frozen ridges.

Specifically, they form when snow melts on a warmer section of your roof and refreezes near colder edges. As a result, runoff can’t drain properly.

With nowhere else to go, water moves backward—under shingles, into flashing, and eventually inside the home. Addressing the buildup early restores proper drainage before damage escalates.

Common warning signs

Large icicles hanging from gutters
Gutters overflowing during winter
Ice building up at roof edges or valleys
Water stains on ceilings or exterior walls
Icicles forming from soffit vents

If you’re seeing these signs, the ice dam is already affecting drainage.

Concerned About an Ice Dam?

Learn how our professional crews safely address winter roof buildup without damaging shingles or gutters.

👉 https://utrees.com/ice-dams-removal/

or call

📍 Urban Tree and Landscape
Serving Minneapolis–Saint Paul since 2006
📞 (612) 532-9996

Homes Most Likely to Need Ice Dam Removal

Ice buildup along roofline of residential home — Roof design and insulation issues make some homes more prone to ice dams.

Certain roof designs and insulation issues increase risk.

The problem is most common in:

Older homes with compacted insulation
Homes with roof valleys or complex designs
Vaulted ceilings and architectural overhangs
Even newer homes with framing cold spots

Ice dams are caused by heat movement and roof design,
not just the age of the home.

Why Ice Dams Cause Serious Damage

Water damage caused by ice dam roof leakage — Standing water behind ice dams leads to interior and structural damage.

Roofs are designed to shed water—not hold it.

When water backs up behind an ice dam, it can:

Soak insulation
Collapse drywall
Freeze windows shut
Create mold-friendly conditions

That’s why ice dam prevention is considered mitigation, not cosmetic work.

FAQ: Ice Dam Removal in Minnesota

What is an ice dam?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the roof edge and traps melting snowwater.

Why do ice dams cause roof leaks?
They hold standing water that can force its way under shingles and flashing.

Can ice dams happen on new homes?
Yes. Roof design and framing cold spots matter more than age.

Are icicles always a problem?
Large icicles often indicate poor drainage and ice dam formation.

Is ice dam mitigation urgent?
If water is backing up or temperatures are warming, yes.

Can I remove an ice dam myself?
DIY methods often damage shingles and create serious fall hazards.

Learn More How Our Crew Removes Ice Dams Safely »

📍 Urban Tree and Landscape
Serving Minneapolis–Saint Paul since 2006
📞 (612) 532-9996

Patti

22:49 02 Jun 25

Urban Tree did an absolutely amazing job removing 19 dead ash trees today. It was like choreography watching them work. They had plenty of trees to haul away and they did a great job cleaning up. We could not be happier with Urban Tree and their crew. Thank you so much!!

Judy Lemke

22:48 27 May 25

Urban Tree has been invaluable in helping me to save my row of Spruce trees from Needle Cast and other maladies. There regular assessment, pruning and fertilization over the passed couple of years is working wonders. I was told by 2 landscaping companies that they would have to be cut down, but they now look like they are on the way to recovery. Great company, fair prices, superior work.

Patricia Schwartzbauer

13:47 07 May 25

We had Urban tree and landscape out to our house yesterday to trim our HUGE cottonwood tree along with trimming back lilacs and an arborvitae. The crew was professional, knowledgeable, and very easy to talk with. They were fast and no nonsense, checking in with us and doing the job just the way we wanted. They were respectful of neighbors property on either side of us and cleaned up beautifully when cutting was done. They worked around many obstacles like phone and electrical lines, and maneuvered through several tight spaces. The price we paid was very fair and I would not hesitate to have them back in the future. Thanks again to Urban tree and landscape!!

Clara Nydam

17:42 07 Apr 25

We asked Urban Tree to help us with our fruit trees. I appreciated how Gabe was very honest with us regarding the health of our trees, and what it will take to address some problems. Instead of trimming all of our trees, which he had originally quoted, he encouraged us to wait until the fall, when it would not have as great a potential for damage. He did trim our crab apple tree, and is planning fungal treatment later this spring. Gabe removed the excess branching in our crab apple tree and made it look a lot better.

Katie Trotzky

21:08 03 Apr 25

We have used Urban Tree & Landscape for a variety of needed services: trimming huge old oak trees, removing a hazardous tree within a few hours of the request, diagnosing and treating diseased trees. The owner Gabe Tschida is a certified arborist (certified by the International Society of Arboriculture-the ISA) Having a certified arborist matters; this is not a fly by night guy with undeserved self-confidence, “sure, we have a chain saw”. This might not be the cheapest but quality matters. The guys are great: prompt, knowledgeable, professional, careful, safe, perfect clean up.

Courtney Barton

23:48 14 Mar 25

It was time to trim my trees and I also had a tree with a crack in it that I was concerned about and had consulted with the city who recommended chatting with 3-4 arborists. Included in my list was Urban Tree. Gabe went above and beyond others to answer all of my questions. He didn't provide a proposal with a million options, but rather the best options upon discussion about the current state of the trees and my goals for the property. He was also transparent with me about not spending another dime on one of my trees that appeared stressed and giving it a few years before deciding what to do with it saving me from doing unnecessary or even harmful work on that tree. The crew was polite and did a great job cleaning up which was especially important given the neighbor's driveway was required to access one of the trees.

Alex Molldrem

03:07 04 Mar 25

Very professional, top notch work! I've used a few different tree services over the years and Urban Tree truly stands out amongst the others. They have the experience and equipment to get the job done safely and quickly, while being affordable. They are very responsive with communications and scheduling. They stick to their estimates and there are no surprises. You can see their level of experience in the way they work. Very efficient and safe. They've taken down some huge trees for me in tight spots without any damage to surrounding baby trees or structures. That takes skill. I've used Urban Tree twice now for some big projects and they're the first I'm going to call for all future projects. I've referred them to friends because I know they'll treat them well. Highly recommend.

Richard Fritz

22:54 18 Dec 24

Urban Tree has been very easy to work with from initial contact to the job being completed. The proposal was very detailed, every item on the list was clearly described. The work performed matched or exceeded what was proposed. Everyone I interacted with from Urban Tree was very professional and highly customer oriented.

J. Broich

01:27 08 Nov 24

They were excellent. They came to give an estimate very quickly, got on their schedule fast, and they did a great, neat job on a big old tree that was rotting and hanging over the house.

Renee Rauch

16:12 02 Oct 24

These folks were great. Adam was clear about the project scope. He saved me a bundle by suggesting ways to save a tree rather than take it down. He had a true appreciation for the trees, especially my anceint hackberry. I would use them again in a heart beat.

Bruce Boeder

18:52 24 Jul 24

i was recommended to use Urban Tree & Landscape, LLC by another arborist for tree trimming on our mature oaks. Gabe drove out to our property and gave us a very reasonable estimate for the work, which we scheduled this November. However, we were hit by a storm in early July and it took down a large limb, which hung up on our basketball hoop. I contacted Gabe and he sent out a crew to take down the limb quickly. And they also cleaned up all of the debris. The crew was great and Gabe's price for that work was very reasonable. I would recommend this company for all of your tree needs.

John Hughes

18:10 13 Apr 24

Crew was fast efficient and easy to work with. The job was done well and the clean up was great! I will use them again.

temp temp

17:14 11 Mar 24

Edward Karakash

20:15 05 Mar 24

I've had used Urban Tree a few times now. Everyone I've had contact with has been friendly and the work has been good.

Linda Burton

19:26 01 Jan 24

I had them remove a large dying spruce situated between my house and my neighbors and prune a crab apple tree close to my house.The cost was competitive . Shortly after I signed the contract I came home from work and the tree was gone and the crab apple pruned. The debris was completely removed. I was very satisfied and would use them again.

Jessica Wellnitz

12:31 21 Dec 23

Matt Heidtman

19:41 21 Nov 23

We had a good experience with the Urban Tree team. The came a made quick, professional work of a group of mulberry trees that were becoming a nuisance. Really impressive work and they did a great job cleaning up as well at the end of the job. I would recommend Urban Tree to anyone considering having tree work done!

Theodore Austin

17:01 24 Oct 23

Gabe is an Arborist Artist! Amazing work. I explain what I’m looking for and Gabe and his team makes my vision into reality! His team cleans up the mess tracks away the branches makes your landscaping vision in View whatever it is look amazing. From a person who owns a business. Gabe is very responsive and professional and provides great customer service the only person that I would use to cut/treat my trees, and bushes.

Toni Chelikowsky

16:33 09 Jun 23

We had an enormous silver maple removed via crane assist and then the stump ground down roots cut. The street was marked off ahead of time, so my neighbors knew where not to park. Gabe worked with us to find a week that worked for our schedule and theirs. I got phone calls the day before to remind me about the tree removal and then again the day before the stump grinding to alert me that they'd be out.

On the day of the removal, the Urban Tree team was incredible to watch! The ease and artistry with which they took out our tree was amazing. The team is professional, efficient, helpful and took the time to answer my questions and make me feel comfortable. They work very seamlessly together—their knowledge and experience comes across very clearly as you see them work.

They removed the tree one day and came back another day to grind the stump, which seems to be typical. Both days they cleaned up the yard and street not only at the end of the work, but along the way. They took care to leave things looking as nice possible.

I would highly recommend Gabe and his crew to take care of tree removal projects you have.

Give Us A Call: 612-532-9996

What Is an Ice Dam and Why Ice Dam Removal Matters

Common warning signs

Concerned About an Ice Dam?

Homes Most Likely to Need Ice Dam Removal

Why Ice Dams Cause Serious Damage

FAQ: Ice Dam Removal in Minnesota

Learn More How Our Crew Removes Ice Dams Safely »

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