Problem
Ice dams: why water comes in at the eaves
An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the gutter. Heat in the attic melts snow higher on the roof; that water refreezes at the cold eave and backs up under the shingles. Rooms under those eaves stain even when the rest of the roof looks fine.
In short
Ice dams: why water comes in at the eaves
An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the gutter that backs water under the shingles. Rooms under those eaves stain even when the field looks fine. Heat in the attic and a cold eave cause it as much as the shingles do.
Signs we look for
- Thick ice or icicles along the gutter while snow remains higher on the slope
- Water stains on exterior-wall ceilings or at window heads
- Attic frost on nails or sheathing when the space is accessible
- Gutters pulled away or overflowing with frozen slush
Why it happens
Ice dams are a heat and ventilation problem as much as a shingle problem. Poor attic airflow, thin insulation, bathroom fans that dump into the attic, and a missing ice barrier at the eaves all make backup more likely. Minnesota winters show this most clearly. Illinois and Missouri see it after wet freeze-thaw storms.
What we do next
Stay off the ice. We inspect from the ground and, when it is safe, the attic. You may need a leak repair now and an ice barrier or better ventilation when the weather allows. Your insurance company decides whether any of that is covered. See ice dam repair for the service.
What not to do
Do not chip ice off the shingles with a hatchet or climb a frozen roof. That tears the shingles and is a fall hazard. Photograph stains and the eave from the ground, then call.
Services that address this
Markets where we see this often
Related: All roof problems · Request an estimate.
People also ask
Will melting the ice dam stop the leak?
- Clearing ice can reduce the backup, but the leak path and the heat that formed the dam are still there. We write both down before we propose work.
Does insurance pay for ice dams?
- That is your insurance company’s decision under the policy. We document what we see and estimate the roofing work. We do not decide coverage.
Topic cluster
More on ice dams
An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the gutter. Heat in the attic melts snow higher on the roof; that water refreezes at the cold eave and backs up under the shingles. Do not chip the ice from a ladder. We inspect from the ground and the attic when we can. Full topic.
Next step
Request an inspection for this problem
Send the address, the storm date if you have it, and what you have noticed. We inspect, then give you a replacement or repair price. Your insurance company decides what they pay.