Accredited business
The gentlemen that were here were very courteous and made sure we were happy with the job before they left.
Paul K.Customer review
Careful hands, not hammers.
Ice Dam Removal in Rhode Island & Nearby MA
We carefully cut channels through the ice by hand so the water trapped behind it can drain, then help you keep ice dams from coming back with heat cables, clean gutters and straight advice.
- BBB A+ accredited
- Family owned since 1985
- 4.9★ · 500+ Google reviews
- Fully insured
- Free estimates
- Reply same business day (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm)
- Free estimates by phone or from photos
- RI Contractor Reg. #GC-11847
At a glance
Mr. Gutter removes ice dams across Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts by carefully cutting channels through the ice by hand, so trapped meltwater can drain without the damage chipping causes. We also install roof and gutter heat cables and point out the attic insulation and ventilation problems that cause ice dams.
Last updated October 2026
- Service area
- All of Rhode Island & nearby MA
- In business since
- 1985, family owned
- Reviews
- 4.9★ · 500+ Google reviews
- Estimates
- Free, no obligation
Ice dam removal, Rhode Island & Nearby MA
We stop a ridge of ice at the roof edge from turning into water stains on your ceiling
When an ice dam builds up at your roof edge, we remove it by hand: we carefully cut channels through the ice so the water trapped behind it can drain off the roof and out through the gutters, without tearing into the shingles.
Ice dams start when heat escaping through the attic melts snow on the upper roof and the water refreezes at the colder eaves. The meltwater behind the ridge can work under the shingles and show up as ceiling stains or wet insulation, and the weight of the ice can bend gutters.
For spots that ice up every winter, we install roof and gutter heat cables, and we'll point out the attic insulation and ventilation issues behind the problem (work for an insulation contractor). Call at the first signs; we reply the same business day, Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm.
We remove ice dams in every Rhode Island town, including Providence, Warwick, Cranston, East Providence, Woonsocket and Newport, and in nearby Massachusetts towns such as Attleboro, Seekonk, Swansea, Fall River, Franklin and Mansfield. Each town we serve has its own ice dam page with local advice; see the list below.
Call (401) 274-3030How we deal with ice dams
Ice dams opened up by hand
We carefully cut channels through the ice dam by hand, giving the trapped meltwater a path off the roof and into the gutters while protecting your shingles and gutters.
Roof and gutter heat cables
Where ice dams keep coming back, heat cables installed along the roof edge and in the gutters keep a path open for meltwater all winter.
Advice on the cause
Ice dams are a symptom of heat escaping the attic. We'll point out the insulation and ventilation issues that cause them, so you can fix the source.
Ice dam removal in your town
Local ice dam advice for every town we serve: why ice dams form on homes there, and how to stop them.
Rhode Island
- Barrington
- Bristol
- Burrillville
- Central Falls
- Charlestown
- Coventry
- Cranston
- Cumberland
- East Greenwich
- East Providence
- Exeter
- Foster
- Glocester
- Hopkinton
- Jamestown
- Johnston
- Lincoln
- Little Compton
- Middletown
- Narragansett
- New Shoreham
- Newport
- North Kingstown
- North Providence
- North Smithfield
- Pawtucket
- Portsmouth
- Providence
- Richmond
- Scituate
- Smithfield
- South Kingstown
- Tiverton
- Warren
- Warwick
- West Greenwich
- West Warwick
- Westerly
- Woonsocket
Massachusetts
Signs you have an ice dam
Check after any stretch of snow followed by sun or freezing nights.
Get a Free Estimate- Thick icicles along the eavesPretty, but a sign meltwater is refreezing at the roof edge.
- A ridge of ice at the edge of the roofThat's the dam. Water pools behind it.
- Ice filling the guttersFrozen gutters can't drain, and the weight can pull them off.
- Water stains on ceilings or wallsMeltwater has already backed up under the shingles.
- Damp spots in the atticLook near the eaves for wet insulation or frost on the roof deck.
- Ice dams in the same spots every winterA sign of an attic heat loss problem worth fixing at the source.
Ice dam removal methods compared
| Method | How it works | Risk to your roof |
|---|---|---|
| Channels cut by hand (what we do) | Careful channels through the ice let trapped meltwater drain | Low: careful work, no chipping off the whole dam |
| Chipping with hammers or axes | Breaks the ice by force | High: cracks shingles and dents gutters |
| Roof rake | Pulls snow off the lower roof from the ground | Moderate: can scrape shingles; doesn't remove existing ice |
| Salt or calcium chloride | Melts a channel slowly | Moderate: can harm plants, metal and finishes |
| Heat cables | Keep a path open for meltwater | Low: prevention, not removal |
How it works
Reach out
Call or send the estimate form, with a photo if you can. You'll hear back the same business day, often from one of the owners.
Estimate
Most jobs we can price for free over the phone, from your photos or by looking at your house online. If you'd like a service call for an on-site inspection, the cost goes toward any work you agree to.
Quote
You get a clear, free quote for your actual house. No pressure, no obligation.
Complete
We schedule the work, let you know the day before we come, do the job with the right materials and leave your yard clean.
Ice building up on your roof?
Call us before the water finds its way inside. We'll assess it and give you a free estimate.
Get a Free EstimateSenior & military discounts · Ask about financing · Quotes from a photo
Our Clients' Reviews
4.9★ · 500+ Google reviews from homeowners across Rhode Island & nearby MA
One section of my gutter system had a hole in it. Mr. Gutter had great reviews, so I called them. They were very quick to respond, I sent a photo, and within minutes they gave me a reasonable quote to replace it. It was just replaced, they were very pleasant, would definitely use them again, highly recommend!
Maureen R.Customer review
Easy to schedule. They came out within a few days and did a great job. I can tell because the nor'easter hit us two days later!
Pamela B.Customer review
The local difference: no sales pitch
National gutter brands sell through in-home appointments. We'd rather just give you a straight answer.
Quotes from a photo
Send a photo with your request. For many jobs we can price it without a long in-home sales visit.
Same-day response
Reach out and you'll hear back the same business day, often from one of the owners.
Notice the day before
No guessing about your schedule. We let you know the day before we come.
Our own crew, since 1985
A family company: our own crew does the work, no subcontractors, and we tell you what your gutters need, and what they don't.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes ice dams?
Ice dams form when heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the upper roof. The water runs down to the colder eaves and refreezes, building a ridge of ice that traps more water behind it. Poor attic insulation and ventilation are the usual cause.
How do you remove ice dams?
By hand. We carefully cut channels through the ice dam so the water trapped behind it can drain off the roof, working slowly to protect the shingles and gutters underneath. No hammering the whole dam off.
Can I remove an ice dam myself?
We don't recommend it. Climbing an icy roof is dangerous, and hammers, axes and roof rakes can damage shingles and gutters. Salt products can also harm plantings and metal.
Do heat cables really work?
Heat cables installed along the roof edge and in the gutters keep channels open so meltwater can drain. They're a good fix for spots where ice dams form year after year.
Is ice dam removal part of regular gutter maintenance?
No. It's a separate winter service. Keeping gutters clean in the fall does help, since clear gutters drain meltwater instead of trapping it.
Do you remove ice dams in my town?
We remove ice dams across Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. Each town we serve has its own ice dam page below with local advice, or just call us.
How do I prevent ice dams from coming back?
The lasting fix is keeping the roof deck cold with better attic insulation, air sealing and ventilation. Heat cables help where that isn't practical, and clean gutters help water drain.
What is an ice dam?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms along the edge of a roof. Meltwater from higher up the roof backs up behind it, and that water can work under the shingles and leak into the house.
What does an ice dam look like?
Look for a thick band of ice along the eaves or in the gutters, large icicles hanging from the roof edge, and sometimes water stains or ice on the exterior wall below.
How much does ice dam removal cost?
Ice dam removal is priced by how much ice there is, how long the affected roof edge is, the height and pitch of the roof, and access. We assess it and give you a price before starting.
Does homeowners insurance cover ice dams?
Many homeowners policies cover sudden interior water damage caused by ice dams, but coverage for removing the ice dam itself varies. Check with your insurance agent, and photograph any damage before it's repaired.
How do you remove ice dams from gutters?
By hand, carefully. We open channels through the ice at the roof edge and in the gutters so meltwater can drain, without prying at the gutters, which can bend them and pull them off the house.
Do gutter guards cause ice dams?
No. Ice dams come from attic heat melting snow on the roof. Clear gutters, guarded or not, drain meltwater better than clogged ones.
Related services
Locations We Serve
From Providence and the Blackstone Valley to Newport, South County and over the line into nearby Massachusetts, our crews cover all of Rhode Island and the towns that border it.
Rhode Island
- Providence
- Warwick
- Cranston
- East Providence
- Pawtucket
- Woonsocket
- Lincoln
- Smithfield
- Cumberland
- Barrington
- East Greenwich
- Coventry
- Newport
- Narragansett
- All RI towns
Massachusetts
We serve all of Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts towns from Sutton and Walpole to Fall River (not beyond Fall River). See every town.
Request a Free Estimate Today
Tell us what's going on and a member of our team will get back to you to set up your free estimate. Prefer to talk? Call RI (401) 274-3030 or MA (508) 399-7600, or text us a photo at (401) 274-3030.
- Quote from a photo
- Reply same business day, Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
- Free estimates by phone or from photos
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