Have You Noticed a Leak Inside Your Home? Here’s What Might Be Happening
If you’ve recently noticed water dripping from your ceiling, pooling near windows, or staining your walls, you might assume it’s a typical roof leak. But during the winter, especially after heavy snowfall, the real culprit might be something unexpected—an ice dam forming on your roof.
What Is an Ice Dam and How Does It Cause Leaks?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of your roof, typically over the gutters. It happens when heat from inside your home melts the snow on your roof, but the melted water gets trapped behind ice that has refrozen along the eaves. Instead of draining off properly, the water backs up under your shingles, seeps behind siding, and makes its way inside your home.
Signs You Might Have an Ice Dam Issue
Many homeowners don’t realize ice dams are the cause of their leaks. Here are some key signs to look for:
- Water stains on ceilings or walls, particularly near exterior walls
- Dripping water inside the house, often around windows or doors
- Icicles forming along the edges of the roof
- Ice buildup in gutters, blocking proper drainage
- Uneven snow melting on the roof, with some areas clear and others still covered
What Can You Do Right Now?
If water is leaking inside your home, it’s important to act fast to prevent further damage. Here’s what you can do immediately:
- Remove excess snow – Carefully clear snow off the roof with a roof rake to reduce melting and refreezing.
- Break up ice dams in key areas – Creating small drainage channels can help water escape.
- Call a professional – Ice dam removal should be handled safely to avoid damage to your roof or gutters.
Preventing Ice Dams in the Future
To stop ice dams from forming again, consider these long-term solutions:
- Install heating cables along the roof edge to keep water flowing
- Improve attic insulation to prevent heat from escaping and melting the snow unevenly
- Ensure proper ventilation in the attic to keep roof temperatures consistent
In the image above, you can see how snow melts unevenly on the roof, which is a common indicator of heat loss and potential ice dam formation.
