Put buckets under it, move belongings, turn off power to any wet light fixtures, and call (413) 603-1274. We dry the ceiling, walls and insulation and repair the inside damage.
What an ice dam is
Heat from the house warms the roof, snow melts, and the water runs down to the cold edge of the roof over the eaves, where it freezes again. That ridge of ice traps more melt water behind it, which backs up under the shingles and drips into the attic, the walls and the top-floor ceilings. It happens most after a big snow followed by days of freezing nights and sunny afternoons.
Signs of ice dam leaks
- Thick ice and icicles along the roof edge and gutters
- Water stains on ceilings near exterior walls on the top floor
- Water running down the inside of a window or exterior wall
- Wet attic insulation near the eaves
- Peeling paint near the top of exterior walls
A stain near an outside wall during snowmelt points to an ice dam. A stain under a bathroom or kitchen after a cold night points to a frozen pipe. We confirm with moisture readings.
What we do inside
- Catch and stop the inside water. Drain sagging ceilings safely and protect the room.
- Map the moisture in ceilings, walls and attic insulation.
- Remove wet insulation and materials that cannot dry.
- Dry the structure with dehumidifiers and air movers, including the attic edge where possible. See structural drying.
- Repair ceilings and walls once dry.
Removing the ice from the roof is a roofing job. Safe steaming of ice dams is done by roof crews, and we can point you to one. Chipping ice or climbing an icy roof is dangerous and can damage shingles.
Ice dams in Chicopee
Older Chicopee homes, especially Capes and two- and three-deckers with little attic insulation, lose a lot of heat through the roof, which is exactly what feeds ice dams. Long cold snaps after big storms, like the winter storms that led to disaster declarations in Hampden County in 2011 and 2013, are when calls spike. Better attic insulation and ventilation, and sealing air leaks into the attic, are the long-term fixes. For the plumbing side of winter, read the Chicopee frozen pipes guide.
Insurance
Many homeowners policies cover sudden interior water damage from ice dams. The roof repair and ice removal may be treated differently. Photograph the ice and the inside damage. See burst pipe and water damage insurance in Massachusetts. General information only.
What to do while it is leaking
- Put buckets or towels under drips and move furniture and electronics out of the way.
- If a ceiling is bulging with water, keep people out from under it. A small hole made at the lowest point of the bulge, with a bucket below, can let the water out in a controlled way instead of the ceiling coming down. Only do this if you can reach it safely and the light fixture is not involved.
- Turn off power to any light fixture or outlet the water is reaching.
- Do not climb onto an icy roof or chop at the ice with an axe or hammer. People are hurt every winter doing this, and it damages the shingles.
- Photograph the ice on the roof edge and the damage inside.
Why it keeps happening in the same spot
Ice dams form where heat from the house warms the roof deck, snow melts, and the water refreezes at the cold eave. Older Chicopee Capes and the top floors of two- and three-deckers often have little attic insulation, gaps around chimneys and light fixtures, and bathroom fans that vent into the attic instead of outside. Those warm spots melt snow from below. A leak that returns in the same corner every winter usually points to the attic above it.
Fixing the cause
- Sealing air leaks from the living space into the attic
- Adding attic insulation where it is thin
- Making sure soffit and roof vents are open so the roof stays cold
- Venting bath fans outdoors
- Ice and water shield at the eaves when the roof is replaced
Roof and attic work is done by a roofer or insulation contractor. Our part is the water damage inside: finding how far it went, drying the ceiling, walls and insulation, and documenting it for your claim.
Ice dam questions
Should I knock the icicles off?
Only ones you can reach safely from the ground, away from walkways. Do not climb an icy roof or hack at the ice.
Can wet attic insulation dry?
Lightly damp fiberglass sometimes can. Soaked or matted insulation, and wet cellulose, is usually replaced.
How do I stop ice dams next year?
Keep heat out of the attic: seal air leaks, add insulation and improve roof ventilation. Raking snow off the lower roof after big storms helps too.
Ice dam leaking inside? Call now
Call (413) 603-1274 now. Locally owned in Chicopee. See ceiling water damage repair.