A Wisconsin ice dam starts when snow on the warmer part of the roof turns to water, then freezes again at the eaves and builds a ridge that keeps the melt from draining off. Before long, the standing water finds a path through the shingles and shows up indoors as a mark on the ceiling or a drip at a window. Martin Exteriors Roofing & Siding repairs ice dam leaks in Janesville, Beloit, Milton, Clinton, Lake Geneva, Delavan and Elkhorn. We’re in Rock and Walworth counties all winter, and you can reach us anytime at (815) 624-6278 for a free inspection and estimate.
Water Coming In Right Now?
- Leave the ice alone and stay on the ground. A frozen roof in Janesville or Lake Geneva is slick, and prying at the ice rips shingles.
- Move what you can away from the drip and catch the water.
- Call (815) 624-6278. For an active leak on a Rock or Walworth County house, we can have a tarp in place within 24 hours so the water stops spreading while we plan the repair.
- If you plan to file an insurance claim, take pictures of the damage inside and call your agent.
Winter Leak Clues on Southern Wisconsin Homes
- In Janesville and Beloit, a heavy buildup of ice at the eaves, often with icicles after a thaw
- Discolored ceilings or paint that’s letting go, usually close to an outside wall on the top floor
- Water around window and door frames on the top floor
- Damp or frosty spots in the attic, if you can look safely
- Siding under the eaves that stays wet or shows streaks
What Gets Fixed After Ice Gets In
We start at the indoor stain, find the spot on the roof where the water came through, and repair each part of the roof it damaged:
- Shingles at the eaves that split, curled or came loose after ice sat on them
- Wood decking that stayed damp long enough to turn soft or spongy
- Torn or lifted metal at a chimney, a valley or where the roof meets a wall, which is where meltwater often slips in on Wisconsin homes
- While that section of the roof is open, we add a fresh waterproof membrane along the eaves and through the valleys.
- Wall siding stained or damaged after water ran off the roof and behind the boards
We may clear the ice as part of the visit, but only if it’s the right call for that roof. We’ll decide once we’ve looked at it.
Keeping It From Coming Back
A shingle repair stops the leak you have now. To keep a new dam from forming next winter in Beloit or Elkhorn, we also have to deal with why the eaves stay colder than the rest of the roof.
- Ice and water shield. We put it on the eaves and through the valleys of every Martin roof, which matters in Rock and Walworth winters when melt sits up there.
- Attic vents. From the soffit vents, we want a clear path up and out through the ridge. When that air keeps the deck evenly cold, snow on a Janesville or Lake Geneva roof melts at the same rate instead of in warm patches.
- Heat in the attic. We’ll walk you through the places warmth is getting upstairs, like a bath fan that empties there instead of outdoors. If the attic needs more insulation, we’ll say so, though that work is done by someone else.
Repair or Replace?
If the ice has damaged most of the roof, or the roof is already worn out, putting on a new roof can be the better path. See roof replacement in Janesville and Beloit. We’ll tell you straight which one your roof needs.
Ice Dams and Insurance
Whether your policy covers ice dam damage depends on the policy, so call your agent and ask. You file the claim and stay in charge of it. We document the roof damage and can meet your adjuster. See insurance claims.
Ice Dam Repair in Your Wisconsin Town
Roof repair in Janesville · Beloit · Milton · Clinton · Lake Geneva · Delavan · Elkhorn
In Illinois? See ice dam repair in Rockford.
Why Wisconsin Homeowners Call Martin Exteriors
We’re a family owned roofing and siding company that has served northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin since 2006. Martin Exteriors is a GAF Master Elite contractor (less than 2% of contractors qualify), FORTIFIED certified, a Certified James Hardie Installer and a Mastic Select Contractor. We’re a licensed Wisconsin dwelling contractor (#1436189), and we’re open 24 hours. Qualified buyers can finance the work, with payments that can start as low as $149 a month.
Ice Dam FAQs
What causes ice dams?
In Rock and Walworth counties, heat leaking from living space warms the roof above the living rooms, so packed snow starts to melt. That melt runs to the colder eaves, freezes into a ridge, and the ridge holds the next melt in place.
Are you available for ice dam leaks in January and February?
Yes. Someone answers the phone 24 hours a day. For a leak in a Rock or Walworth County home, we can have a tarp in place within 24 hours. We’ll be clear about what we can repair now and what should wait until the roof is safer to work on.
Should I knock the ice off myself?
No. Getting on a frozen roof is a fall risk, and chopping at the ice can break shingles and open a bigger leak.
How much does ice dam repair cost?
It depends on what the water damaged. We price it in writing after a free inspection and estimate.
Do you serve my town?
We repair ice dam leaks in Janesville, Beloit, Milton, Clinton, Lake Geneva, Delavan and Elkhorn, and we’re in Rock and Walworth counties every week. Call (815) 624-6278.
Get Your Free Inspection and Estimate
Call (815) 624-6278, open 24 hours, or request your free inspection and estimate online.
