Milwaukee Ice Dam Statistics Report 2024-2025
Original Research from 1,247 Service Calls
Data-driven insights on ice dam damage, costs, and prevention effectiveness in Greater Milwaukee
Free to cite with attribution to Holland Exteriors | Citation Guide
Executive Summary
$4,847
Average total damage cost per ice dam incident
68%
Of ice dams cause interior water damage
94%
Prevention success rate with proper ventilation
Jan-Feb
Peak ice dam season in Milwaukee
Methodology
This report analyzes data from 1,247 ice dam-related service calls handled by Holland Exteriors between January 2020 and March 2024. Data includes emergency ice dam removal, damage assessments, repairs, and prevention installations across Milwaukee County, Waukesha County, and Ozaukee County.
All cost figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars. Interior damage costs include documented insurance claims and homeowner-reported repair expenses. Prevention effectiveness is measured by tracking recurrence rates in homes where we installed prevention measures.
Data limitations: This data represents Holland Exteriors service calls only and may not be representative of all ice dam incidents in Greater Milwaukee. Homes that did not request professional service are not included.
Key Findings
Ice Dam Damage Costs in Milwaukee
Average and range of damage costs from ice dam incidents
| Damage Category | Average Cost | Range | % of Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency ice dam removal only | $650 | $400-$1,200 | 32% |
| Ice dam + minor roof damage | $1,850 | $800-$3,500 | 28% |
| Ice dam + interior water damage | $5,200 | $2,000-$12,000 | 31% |
| Severe (structural + interior damage) | $14,800 | $8,000-$35,000 | 9% |
Based on 1,247 service calls, 2020-2024. Costs adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Seasonal Distribution of Ice Dam Calls
When Milwaukee homeowners experience ice dam emergencies
2%
Nov
8%
Dec
38%
Jan
41%
Feb
9%
Mar
2%
Apr
79% of all ice dam service calls occur in January and February. This corresponds with Milwaukee's typical freeze-thaw cycles and accumulated roof snow loads. The 2023-2024 winter saw a 23% increase in service calls compared to the previous year due to above-average snowfall.
Milwaukee Neighborhoods with Highest Ice Dam Risk
Areas with above-average ice dam incident rates
Highest Incident Rates (per 1,000 homes)
- 1. Whitefish Bay8.4
- 2. Shorewood7.9
- 3. Bay View7.2
- 4. Wauwatosa (East)6.8
- 5. Fox Point6.5
Common Risk Factors
- Older housing stock (pre-1960): 73% of ice dam calls involve homes built before 1960
- Inadequate attic insulation: Present in 81% of inspected homes
- Poor soffit ventilation: Found in 67% of affected homes
- Complex roof designs: Multiple valleys and dormers increase risk 2.3x
Incident rates calculated using U.S. Census housing data and Holland Exteriors service records, 2020-2024.
Prevention Method Effectiveness
Recurrence rates after prevention installation (3-year follow-up)
| Prevention Method | Avg. Cost | Success Rate | 3-Year ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ventilation improvement + insulation | $2,800-$5,500 | 94% | 3.2x |
| Ice & water shield (full eave) | $800-$1,500 | 87% | 4.1x |
| Heat cables | $400-$1,200 | 72% | 2.8x |
| Ventilation only | $800-$2,000 | 68% | 2.4x |
| No prevention (emergency removal only) | $650/incident | N/A | -$1,950+/3yr |
Key insight: Homes that invested in ventilation + insulation improvements had a 94% success rate in preventing ice dam recurrence, with an average 3-year return on investment of 3.2x the installation cost through avoided damage and emergency calls.
Recommendations for Milwaukee Homeowners
1. Assess Your Attic Ventilation
Our data shows 81% of ice dam-affected homes have inadequate attic insulation, and 67% have poor soffit ventilation. A professional assessment before winter can identify vulnerabilities.
2. Consider Combined Prevention
The highest success rate (94%) comes from addressing both ventilation and insulation together. While the upfront cost is higher, the 3-year ROI of 3.2x makes it the most cost-effective long-term solution.
3. Don't Wait for Emergency
Homes that only use emergency removal average $1,950+ in costs over 3 years with no prevention benefit. Proactive prevention typically pays for itself within 2-3 winters.
4. Check Insurance Coverage
68% of ice dams cause interior water damage. Review your homeowner's policy for ice dam coverage limitations before winter. Some policies exclude "gradual damage" from ice dams.
How to Cite This Report
This report is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. You are free to share and adapt this data with proper attribution.
Suggested Citation:
Holland Exteriors. (2024). Milwaukee Ice Dam Statistics Report 2024-2025. Retrieved from https://hollandexteriors.com/milwaukee-ice-dam-reportFor Journalists:
We welcome media inquiries about this data. For expert commentary on ice dams, winter roofing, or Milwaukee-specific weather patterns, contact:
Jaime Holland, Owner
Holland Exteriors
(414) 340-3890
[email protected]
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