Roof snow removal and de-icing in Winnipeg typically costs between $200 and $800, but the final price depends heavily on your roof's size, pitch, snow and ice buildup, and how easy the site is to access, so treat any range as a starting point, not a firm quote. Roof Repair Winnipeg charges based on the actual work involved, and since we're a small local crew with no sales team or call centre, the person who gives you the estimate is the same person who shows up to clear your roof.
What Roof Snow Removal & De-Icing Includes
if you book roof snow removal and de-icing with Roof Repair Winnipeg, you're getting more than someone with a rake and a ladder. what the service covers:
Snow removal from the roof surface. We remove accumulated snow from the roof deck using proper snow rakes and manual methods that won't damage asphalt shingles. In Winnipeg, a single heavy snowfall can leave 30 to 60 centimetres on your roof, and that weight, combined with the freeze-thaw cycle, puts serious stress on your roof structure, flashing, and eaves. Left alone, that load can cause sagging, cracked shingles, and even structural issues.
Ice dam removal and break-up. Ice dams form when snow melts on a warmer roof section and refreezes at the colder eaves. We break up and remove existing ice dams along the eaves and valleys, which relieves the pressure that pushes water back under your shingles and flashing. This is the most common winter roof problem in Winnipeg, and it's the main reason homeowners call us in January and February. If water has already backed up under your shingles, we'll spot it during the job and let you know immediately.
De-icing treatment. After removing the snow and ice, we apply a de-icing product to the affected areas to slow re-formation. This isn't a permanent fix, no de-icing treatment is, but it buys you time and reduces the immediate risk of another dam forming. We use products that are safe for asphalt shingles and won't corrode your flashing or gutters.
Gutter and downspout clearing (where accessible). Ice dams often block gutters and downspouts, which forces meltwater to back up under the roof edge. We clear what we can safely reach and flag any areas that need attention in the spring. Frozen downspouts are a common contributor to ice dam problems, and clearing them is part of the job.
Inspection of the affected roof areas. While we're up there, we check the condition of your shingles, flashing, and roof penetrations around the problem zones. If we spot damage, cracked shingles from ice expansion, lifted flashing, or wear from previous freeze-thaw cycles, we'll tell you about it and quote the repair separately. We won't upsell you on a replacement you don't need.
Photo documentation. We take photos of the snow load, ice dams, and any damage we find. If you're filing an insurance claim for winter roof damage, these photos give your adjuster clear evidence of what happened and what needs fixing. This documentation has helped many Winnipeg homeowners get claims approved faster.
Roof Snow Removal & De-Icing Pricing in Winnipeg
Roof snow removal and de-icing at Roof Repair Winnipeg runs from $200 to $800, but that range is a starting point, not a quote. The final cost varies a lot depending on job size, scope, and site conditions.
what drives the price:
Roof size and pitch. A small bungalow with a gentle slope is faster and safer to work on than a steep two-storey roof with a 10/12 pitch. Bigger roofs mean more snow to remove and more linear feet of eaves to de-ice. A 1,200-square-foot bungalow will always cost less than a 2,500-square-foot two-storey with multiple valleys.
Snow depth and density. Winnipeg snow isn't all the same. A fresh, light snowfall is quick to clear. Packed, wind-blown snow, or snow that's partially melted and refrozen, is heavier, harder to move, and takes longer. That affects the price. A roof with 60 centimetres of packed snow takes significantly more time than one with 15 centimetres of fresh powder.
Ice dam severity. A thin ice dam at the eaves is one thing. A thick, multi-layered dam that's already pushed water under your shingles is another. The more ice there is and the harder it is to break up, the more time it takes. We've seen ice dams in Winnipeg that were 30 centimetres thick and ran the full length of the eaves, those take real work to clear safely.
Accessibility. A single-storey roof with easy ladder access is straightforward. A two-storey home with steep sections, multiple valleys, or a complex roofline requires more setup and more careful work, which adds time. Snow buildup on the ground around the house can also make ladder placement trickier and slower.
Roof condition. If your shingles are already brittle from Winnipeg's freeze-thaw cycles, we have to work more carefully to avoid causing damage. That takes longer and can affect the price. We'd rather take extra time than crack a shingle that was already on its last legs.
Emergency response. If you have an active leak or water coming through your ceiling, we prioritize the job and can often get to you within 24 to 48 hours. Emergency response carries a premium over scheduled work because it means reworking our calendar and getting to you fast.
Here's a rough breakdown of what you can expect to pay in the Winnipeg area:
- Light snow removal (small roof, easy access): $200–$350
- Standard snow removal + ice dam break-up (average Winnipeg home): $350–$550
- Heavy snow load + thick ice dams + steep roof: $550–$800
- Emergency response with active leak: $400–$800+
Again, these are ranges, not quotes. Every roof is different, and the only way to get an accurate price is to have us look at your specific situation. That's why we offer free quotes and will give you a firm number before any work starts.
Common Causes of Ice Dams on Winnipeg Roofs
Understanding why ice dams form helps you prevent them, and know when to call for help. Ice dams happen when three things line up:
Snow on the roof. You need a layer of snow to begin with. Winnipeg winters provide that reliably.
A warm roof section. Heat escaping from your attic warms the roof deck from below, melting the snow above. Poor attic insulation and ventilation are the usual culprits. The snow melts near the peak and runs down toward the eaves.
A cold eave. The eaves overhang the exterior walls and stay cold, often the same temperature as the outside air. When meltwater hits the cold eave, it refreezes. Over days and weeks, that refrozen water builds into a dam of ice.
Once the dam forms, meltwater has nowhere to go. It pools behind the ice and eventually pushes up under your shingles and flashing. That's if you get leaks, ceiling stains, and water damage in your walls. This cycle repeats every Winnipeg winter, which is why ice dams are such a common problem here.
Roof snow removal and de-icing breaks this cycle. By removing the snow and treating the ice, we eliminate the source of the meltwater and relieve the pressure on your roof. It's not a permanent solution, if your attic insulation is poor, the dams will come back after the next heavy snowfall, but it stops the immediate damage and gives you time to plan a longer-term fix.
Preventing Ice Dams Before They Form
If you've paid for ice dam removal once, you don't want to pay for it twice in the same winter. The permanent fix is never on the roof; it's in the attic:
Insulation at R-50. Winnipeg attics should be at R-50. Most homes with recurring ice dams are sitting at R-20 to R-30, and the heat leaking up through the insulation is what melts the snow on your roof deck. Topping up costs $1,500–$3,000 once and ends the cycle in most homes.
Air sealing. Recessed lights, plumbing stacks, and attic hatches are the holes where warm air escapes. Sealing them costs a few hundred dollars and is frequently the missing fix on roofs that already have decent insulation.
Ventilation. Soffit intake and ridge exhaust keep the deck cold. Blocked soffits or a missing ridge vent means the attic can't flush, and the deck stays warm enough to melt snow at -20°C.
Heat cable, the honest version. Cable along the eaves melts a channel for water to drain, which reduces dam severity but does not fix the cause. It's a band-aid at $200–$600 installed, useful in a pinch, not a replacement for insulation and air sealing.
Raking between storms. Clearing the first 6 feet of snow from the eaves after each big snowfall is free and cuts the ice dam's raw material. Do it from the ground; never climb onto an icy roof.
How the Process Works
Step 1: Call or book online. You reach us directly, no call centre, no automated menu. The person who answers is the person who'll do the work. Tell us what you're seeing: snow depth, ice dams, icicles, leaks, or ceiling stains.
Step 2: Free quote. We ask about your roof size, what you're seeing, and your access situation. Based on that, we give you a price range. If you're dealing with an active leak or emergency, we'll prioritize your call and get you on the schedule fast.
Step 3: On-site assessment (if needed). For complex jobs or if you're unsure what you're dealing with, we'll come out and look at the roof before quoting. This is free, and it's the best way to get an accurate number. We'll walk the perimeter, check the eaves, and assess the snow load from the ground before deciding on the safest approach.
Step 4: The work. We show up on time, clear the snow, break up ice dams, apply de-icing treatment, and clear accessible gutters. We work carefully to avoid damaging your asphalt shingles, flashing, or roof penetrations. We use proper equipment and follow safety protocols, working on snow-covered roofs in a Winnipeg winter is not a job for improvisation.
Step 5: Report and recommendations. We walk you through what we found, including photos. If there's damage that needs repair, cracked shingles, lifted flashing, or a roof leak that's already started, we'll quote that separately. If your roof is fine, we'll tell you that too. And if we think your attic insulation or ventilation is causing recurring ice dams, we'll say so and explain your options.
Step 6: You're protected. We stand behind our work. If we caused any damage during snow removal, we fix it. That's not a marketing line, it's how we operate.
Why Choose Roof Repair Winnipeg for Snow Removal and De-Icing
We're a Winnipeg crew that knows this climate. We've worked through every freeze-thaw cycle, every blizzard, and every ice dam season this city has thrown at us. We know how Winnipeg roofs behave in winter, where they fail, and how to clear them without causing damage. That local experience matters, roof work in a Manitoba winter is completely different from roof work in a mild climate.
Small crew, low overhead, fair prices. We don't have a twelve-truck fleet, a call centre, or account managers. What we have is a small team of experienced roofers who do the work themselves. That keeps our costs down, and those savings show up in our pricing. You're not paying for a marketing budget or a showroom.
No sales team. The person who quotes your roof is the person who repairs it. You won't get a salesperson who's never been on a roof, and you won't get pressure to buy services you don't need. We tell you what needs doing, and we don't pad the scope.
Repair-first approach. We quote the fix, not a replacement. If your roof just needs snow removed and ice dams broken up, that's what we'll recommend. If there's actual damage that needs repair, we'll tell you honestly, and if a repair is smarter than a new roof, we'll say so. We've told plenty of homeowners their roof was fine and they didn't need us again that winter. That's how you build trust.
Insurance claim support. Winter roof damage in Winnipeg, ice dams, freeze-thaw shingle damage, and the hail damage that shows up later, is often covered by insurance. We provide photo documentation with every snow removal and de-icing job, and if you're filing a claim, we can help you understand what your adjuster will want to see. Our adjuster-ready damage reports have helped many local homeowners get their claims approved.
Fast response. Active leaks and emergency situations get priority. We aim for 24–48 hour response on storm and winter emergency calls, which means your water damage is contained before it gets worse. When water is coming through your ceiling, every hour counts.
Honest pricing, no surprises. The price we quote is the price you pay. We don't add surprise fees or "materials charges" at the end. If the job turns out to be bigger than expected once we're on the roof, we stop and talk to you before doing extra work, we never just bill you for more.
Get Your Free Roof Snow Removal Quote
If you're looking at snow piled on your roof, ice dams forming at your eaves, or water stains on your ceiling, don't wait. The longer snow and ice sit on your roof, the more chance there is of damage to your shingles, flashing, and the structure underneath. Call Roof Repair Winnipeg today for a free quote, the person on the phone is the person who'll clear your roof, and we'll give you an honest price before any work starts.
Free on-site estimate · no obligation