As winter continues its frigid grip on much of the country, our consumer information centre has recently been inundated by calls on an interesting and often overlooked winter threat – ice dams. These rooftop menaces can pose a serious risk to your home and while they aren’t always easy to remove once they form, there are steps you can take to help protect your property.
What are ice dams and how do they form?
Ice dams are essentially ridges of ice that typically form at the edge of your roof and/or in eavestroughs. They occur especially after freeze and thaw cycles. These ridges or dams can often impede or even stop the flow of water from draining off your roof. The presence of large icicles may indicate an ice dam or at least the start of one. Though, this is not always the case.
Ice dams form when snow melts, runs down the roof and refreezes in the cold gutters or eaves. The warmer the roof, the faster the melting occurs and ultimately increases the likelihood of an ice dam forming at the roof’s edge. Over time, this frozen ridge of ice can grow and eventually trap water on the roof. If the water has nowhere to drain, it can potentially push back up against the underside of the roof shingles and make its way into the home.
There are 3 main factors that can lead to the formation of ice dams:
Inadequate insulation in the attic: Without proper insulation, heat can escape through the attic ceiling, warm the underside of the roof and melt the snow.
Poor attic ventilation: If the attic is not properly ventilated, it can cause uneven heat distribution and ultimately lead to the warming of the attic ceiling – especially at the roof’s peak.
Snow accumulation and blocked eavestroughs: Heavy snowfall means more melting snow and adds to the likelihood of water refreezing at the roof’s edge, particularly if the eavestrough is full of debris. Some freezing is fine, but the bigger the dam, the greater the potential for water or structural damage.
What kind of damage do ice dams cause?
Water damage is the greatest threat of an ice dam, but damaged eavestroughs, soffits, shingles and downspouts are also common. When the water on the roof has nowhere to go, it may find its way under the shingles and eventually into the home. This water may lead to ceiling and wall damage, mold and mildew growth and even structural damage if the problem persists for too long or is severe.
Does my insurance cover ice dam damage?
Standard homeowners’ insurance policies commonly cover sudden and accidental water damage caused by ice dams. However, ongoing or repeated damage is considered a long-term maintenance issue and may not be covered under a home insurance policy.
Insurance policies do vary and basic insurance policies might not cover damage from ice dams. Homeowners should review their insurance policy on a regular basis to understand their coverage and available options. Many insurance companies offer water damage endorsements, so it’s important to speak with your insurance rep. if you have questions about your coverages.
If you do have an ice dam and water is coming inside your home, you should contact your insurance provider right away to start the claims process. Ignoring water damage could result in mold or mildew and cause other unintended problems if left unaddressed.
Insurance is meant to respond to sudden and/or accidental situations – not regular home maintenance. In many cases, ice dams are preventable. Ensuring eavestroughs are cleared of debris, checking your insulation and roof ventilation, using roof rakes to clear snow accumulation, installing heat cables and regular roof maintenance are some steps homeowners can take to help prevent ice dams from occurring.
If you notice ice dams on your roof, we recommend engaging a professional to help correct any problems and help mitigate your risk.
For additional winter safety and maintenance tips, please visit our winterize your home page.
If you have questions about ice dams, feel free to give our consumer information centre a call or email. We’re here to help.
