If you answered "YES" to any of these questions, you probably have an ICE DAM. An Ice Dam is a condition that develops when water and snow freeze and cause the gutter system to fail. Gutters are designed to remove the standing water from the roof and drain it off the structure. When the gutters are frozen they cannot function properly and significant damage can occur.

Damage from Ice Dams can run the gambit from mild to major. Sometimes the only damage may be a loosening of the gutter spikes, easily remedied by rescuing the spikes when the weather permits. Sometimes the damage can be quite significant causing leaks into the home, damaging drywall, carpet and moldings. If left untreated the unwanted moisture can also cause mold and mildew and can even rot out framing lumber.

Often people mistake the water entering the home for a roof leak, but I can assure you that if your roof looks like the one pictured here, it probably is not a roof leak, it is an Ice Dam. It could also be both, caused by the Ice Dam if the ice melt gets under the shingles and refreezes, Pop-Goes-The-Shingle.

Interior signs to look for - on your interior walls where they meet the ceiling look for signs of new water stains.
Is water dripping out of any ceiling light fixtures? Hey, if so, watch out, this is definitely a problem - don't try to change the bulb, zzzzztttt.

Okay, great information, but what the heck can you do about it short of waiting till spring with buckets in the living room?

One method works, but be very careful. Attach a garden hose to your laundry sink and run the hose outside to a point that you can get a good spray at the gutters. Turn on the WARM water, not hot and spray the water into the gutter, melting the snow and ice and restoring the gutters to normal drainage. I say warm water, not hot because the spray can burn you and the extreme differences in temperature can cause stuff to crack, which is not good. If any of you try this, do so at your own risk, the author and MICA assume no responsibility or liability for anyone who is spraying a garden hose on their roof in the middle of the winter - duh.

Next time you are thinking about replacing your roof, ask the contractor to include an Ice and Weather Shield. This will cost a few bucks more and is not a guaranteed cure, but it helps.

Spring is just around the corner so relax and don't let the Ice Dam make you frosty.

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