Snow Causing Roof Leak? Look For Ice Dams

12/22/2020 (Permalink)

ice dam roof leak east haven, ct near me

Dealing with the water damage from an ice dam isn't as easy as most homeowners would hope.

When the winter months hit and the snow season comes around in Connecticut, you may find your ceiling leaking from snow or roof leaks after heavy snow. But what's the real cause of these snow water leaks? The answer is simple: Ice Dams.

What Damages Do Ice Dam Roof Leaks Cause?

Ice dams form when your attic is a bit too warm, heating up your roof and melting the ice and snow on it.

Melted snow trickles down your roof, but refreezes at the cooler eaves. This continual process causes a buildup of ice at the edge of your roof.

This mass of ice that forms can cause extensive damage to your roof, which is what will cause it to leak. The continuous process of snow melting and refreezing allows water to get underneath your shingles and dislodge them when it refreezes. Once water begins to reach your roof deck, interior leaks are bound to begin.

Other damages ice dams cause include:

Sagging roof
Clogged gutters
Sagging gutters
Mold growth
Issues with roof soffit and fascia
Water damage to insulation, ceilings, walls, and floors

What To Do When Ice Dams Cause Winter Roof Leaks

You may be unsure what to do or who to call first when ice dams cause a leaky roof. Here, we've outlined what to do and when to return your home to pre-damage conditions as soon as possible.

1. Call Your Homeowners Insurance

When ice dams cause water damage from roof leaks, you'll want to call your insurance company to cover the repairs. Water damage from ice dams can be costly, as it can affect every level of your home.

Tip: Your homeowners insurance may not cover ice dam removal, but they should cover any water damage resulting from it - So long as the problem has not been neglected or ongoing for a long period of time.

2. Call A Water Damage Restoration Company

In Connecticut, you can call us here at SERVPRO of Branford/Shoreline to handle the water damage restoration process after snow causes roof leaks in your home. It's usually best to call the professionals when it comes to water damage to ensure your home is completely dried to prevent the growth of mold or structural deterioration.

When you call SERVPRO of Branford/Shoreline to clean up the water damage from an ice dam, you can expect the following process:

3. Have Your Ice Dam Removed

If you don't take steps to have your ice dam removed, your problem will only continue. While there are ways to perform DIY ice dam removal, we would recommend calling a professional company that can remove these masses of ice without further damaging your roof. The professionals at SERVPRO of Branford/Shoreline use steam machines, which safely melt ice and snow right off of your roof.

3. Call Your Roofing Contractor

Once the ice and snow is gone, you'll also need to repair any damages to your roof caused by the dam. This may include new shingles, soffit, fascia, or in more extreme cases a new roof deck. Here at SERVPRO of Branford/Shoreline, our in-house construction division can seamlessly begin your roof repairs after removing your ice dam, all while our SERVPRO crews handle the water damage inside of your home.

4. Take Steps To Prevent Ice Dams In The Future

Unless you change the conditions which caused your ice dam to form in the first place, you may end up dealing with your roof leaking after heavy snow once again. To help prevent your ceiling leaking from snow again, do the following:

Keep warm air out of your attic
Remove excess snow
Make sure your gutters are clear
Properly insulate your roof and attic

For in-depth guide to preventing ice dams, check out this blog.

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (203) 488-8881