Home Repair

Ice dams: how to deal with them now and stop them next winter

An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the edge of the roof that keeps melting snow from draining. The water backs up under shingles and can leak into ceilings and walls. The fix that lasts happens in the attic, not on the roof.

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Ice dam leaking into your home?

Call a local roofing company to ask about safe removal and checking the roof for damage.

Call a roofer

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What causes ice dams

Warm roof, cold edge

Ice dams form when there’s snow on the roof and the upper roof is above 32°F while the lower edge stays below freezing. Snow melts up high and refreezes at the eaves.

Source: UMN Extension

Heat leaking from the house

University of Minnesota Extension says air leaking from the house into the attic is the major cause in many homes. Exhaust vents and chimneys can add heat too.

Source: UMN Extension

Common leak spots

Gaps around wiring, recessed lights, plumbing stacks, flues, attic hatches, bath fans and the tops of interior walls let warm air into the attic.

Source: PNNL

Short-term fixes

  • Rake snow from the ground. A roof rake or push broom can remove snow from the lower roof, but UMN Extension notes it can damage roofing. Don’t climb onto an icy roof.
  • Channel the dam in an emergency. On a warmer day, UMN Extension says you can melt channels through the ice with tap water, working up from the lower edge, so water can drain. It’s a temporary fix.
  • Call a pro for roof work. Winter roof work is risky. A roofing or snow removal company has the equipment and insurance.

If water is coming in, move valuables, catch drips, and take photos of the damage. UMN Extension advises waiting until wet areas are dry before repairing interior finishes. EPA says to dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold. See EPA’s mold guide.

The long-term fix: air seal, then insulate

Both UMN Extension and the Building America Solution Center say to stop warm air from reaching the attic first, then add insulation. That keeps the roof deck cold so snow doesn’t melt and refreeze.

  • Air seal the attic floor. Seal gaps around lights, pipes, wiring, flues (with fire-safe materials) and the attic hatch.
  • Add insulation after sealing. ENERGY STAR explains how to check and add attic insulation in its seal and insulate guide.
  • Vent bath and kitchen fans outside, not into the attic.
  • Skip powered attic fans. UMN Extension doesn’t recommend mechanical attic ventilation to prevent ice dams.
  • Mind your combustion appliances. When you tighten up a house, make sure furnaces and water heaters still get enough air and vent properly. Have a pro check.

UMN Extension suggests hiring a weatherization contractor who uses a blower door test or an infrared camera to find leaks. Income-eligible Illinois households can apply to the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program for help with air sealing and insulation.

Will insurance cover it?

The Insurance Information Institute says standard homeowners policies cover most freeze-related damage, including when ice forms in gutters and water backs up under shingles and seeps into the house. Flood damage isn’t covered by standard policies. Check your own policy and deductible, and call your insurer early. See Triple-I’s cold weather tips and our home and renters insurance guide.

Hiring a roofer

Water got inside?

Call a local water damage company to ask about drying out ceilings, walls and insulation before mold starts.

Call for water damage help

[CALL: Water & fire restoration (CallScaler) — CallScaler tracking number] — replace the button href “#CALL-ice-dams-bottom” with tel:+1XXXXXXXXXX, put the formatted number in the button text, then remove “ms-placeholder” from this group’s Additional CSS class(es) to show it. Do not publish a number until CallScaler approves the offer.

MegaSavings may be paid when you call a provider through this page, at no cost to you.

Common questions

What is an ice dam?

A ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and stops melting snow from draining. The water can back up under shingles and leak inside.

How do I get rid of an ice dam fast?

Rake snow off the lower roof from the ground, or melt channels through the ice with tap water on a warmer day. These are temporary. For anything on the roof, call a pro.

How do I stop ice dams for good?

Air seal the attic floor so warm air can’t reach the roof, then add insulation. A weatherization contractor can find the leaks with a blower door test.

Does homeowners insurance cover ice dam leaks?

Often. Triple-I says standard policies cover water that backs up under shingles from ice in gutters. Check your policy and deductible.

Does MegaSavings get paid?

MegaSavings may be paid when you call a provider through this page, at no cost to you. It doesn’t change the tips on this page, and you’re never obligated to hire anyone.

Sources

More guides: Home repair · Roofing · Water damage restoration · Frozen pipes

Last reviewed: October 28, 2026