What an Ice Dam Does to a House
An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the roof’s edge that traps meltwater behind it, and the trapped water has nowhere to go but under the shingles.
The National Weather Service explains that ice dams form when heavy roof snow melts during the day and refreezes overnight. After several cycles, meltwater and ice can work up under the shingles. The water can reach the attic and eventually damage ceilings, walls and belongings, and a dam that goes unnoticed for a long time can cause serious damage to the building and its contents.
That is why the first sign is often a stain on a ceiling or a drip along an exterior wall, not anything you can see on the roof.
Deal With the Inside First
If a ceiling is bulging or sagging with water, stay out from under it and call for help rather than poking at it. Move belongings out of the way of drips, and put containers under them if that is safe.
Before anything is moved or thrown away, take photos or video when that is practical. The NYS Department of Health lists documentation for insurance as part of cleanup.
Think Hard Before Going on the Roof
The instinct is to get up there and clear the ice. FEMA’s Snow Load Safety Guide cautions that attempting to remove snow from a roof is more often hazardous than beneficial, posing a risk to the person and to the roofing. It also advises that removing snow completely can damage the roof covering and lead to leaks, that at least 2 inches should be left, and that mechanical equipment and sharp tools should not be used.
The National Weather Service suggests keeping snow on the roof to a minimum with a long-handled roof rake used from the ground (NWS), and consulting a reputable roofing or insulation contractor for the improvements that stop ice dams from forming.
Keeping Ice Dams From Forming
The National Weather Service lists these steps (NWS).
- Clear leaves, sticks and debris from gutters and downspouts so meltwater can drain, and keep them free of snow and icicles through the winter.
- Keep snow on the roof to a minimum.
- Insulate the attic. Experts generally recommend at least R-30, with R-38 preferred in northern climates, to limit heat loss from the living space into the attic.
- Ventilate the attic, with air flowing in at the soffits and out through the roof vents, so the attic stays cold and the freeze-thaw cycle on the roof is reduced.
Drying the Ceiling, Walls and Insulation
Water that came through a roof ends up in places you cannot see: wet insulation, framing and the back of drywall. EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24–48 hours where possible, because damp materials that dry in that window usually do not grow mold. That is a target worth working toward. It is not a promise that mold cannot grow, and it is not a deadline after which mold appears.
A professional can take moisture readings to find water that is still in the structure, and to tell what can be dried in place and what has to come out.
If mold turns up
On a New York mold project, H&H performs either the mold assessment or the mold remediation — never both on the same project. See mold services.
What H&H Does After an Ice-Dam Leak
H&H Environmental has operated since 2005. For a roof-leak loss, the work falls into these parts. Each is described as a service, not a promise about timing, because every loss is different.
Water extraction. Standing water is removed. (Emergency water extraction)
Removal of wet or damaged materials, where necessary. Materials that cannot be dried are taken out so they do not keep moisture against the structure.
Structural drying and dehumidification. The structure and the air are dried. (Structural drying)
Antimicrobial treatment. Used where it is appropriate.
Monitoring. Drying is monitored so the work continues until the structure is dry.
Documentation and insurance. We work directly with your insurance carrier and provide documentation and direct billing for covered losses. Whether a loss is covered is decided by your policy and your carrier, not by H&H. (Insurance help)
Roof repair and insulation work are separate trades from the water damage services above. The full list of what we do is on the water damage restoration page.