An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms along the edge of your roof and traps melting snow behind it. That water backs up under the shingles and leaks into walls and ceilings. Martin Exteriors Roofing & Siding repairs the damage ice dams leave and fixes what caused them. The inspection is free, and we answer 24/7 at (815) 624-6278.
Depending on what we find, we can also remove the ice dam. We’ll make that call when we see your roof.
Why Ice Dams Form on Northern Illinois Roofs
Heat from the house warms the upper part of the roof and melts the snow there. The meltwater runs down to the overhang, which sits outside the heated walls and stays below freezing, and it refreezes. Day after day the ridge of ice grows, and the water behind it has nowhere to go but up under the shingles. Our winters swing above and below freezing again and again, which is exactly the pattern that builds ice dams. The usual causes are warm air leaking into the attic and an attic that does not move enough air. See attic ventilation.
Signs an Ice Dam Is Leaking Into Your Home
- Water stains on ceilings or walls along the outside of the house.
- Wet or matted insulation in the attic near the eaves.
- Peeling paint or bubbling drywall near the top of exterior walls.
- Thick ice along the roof edge with long icicles hanging below it.
- Drips at the soffit or water running down the inside of a wall.
If water is coming in now, call (815) 624-6278. We can tarp within 24 hours to keep more water out until the repair is done. Please do not climb onto an icy roof or chip at the ice yourself. It is easy to fall and easy to tear the shingles.
How We Repair Ice Dam Damage
A ceiling stain is the end of the story, not the start. We follow the water back to where it entered and repair everything it touched on the roof:
- Damaged shingles. Ice and trapped water lift, crack and loosen shingles along the eaves. We replace them.
- Wet or rotted decking. Water that sat under the shingles can soften the wood. We replace bad decking so the new shingles have a solid base.
- Flashing. Valleys, chimneys and walls are where backed up water finds its way in. We replace damaged flashing instead of patching it.
- Ice and water shield. When we rebuild the eave, we install ice and water shield so backed up water cannot reach the deck again.
- Siding. If ice water ran down a wall and damaged the siding, we replace the damaged boards or sections, never with sealant.
If the leak is at the chimney rather than the eave, see chimney flashing repair.
We photograph what we find, inside and out, so you can see the damage and the cause. Repairing drywall and paint inside is a separate trade, and we will tell you plainly what we saw so you know what needs fixing. See roof repair and emergency roof repair.
Fix the Cause, Not Just the Stain
If we only patch the shingles, the ice comes back next winter. That is why every ice dam repair includes a look at what caused it:
- Ice and water shield at the eaves. Building codes in our area require ice and water shield at the eaves, and every Martin roof gets it on every eave.
- Ventilation. We check that air comes in at the soffits and goes out near the ridge, so the roof deck stays cold and snow melts evenly.
- Air leaks into the attic. We point out warm air sources such as open chases and bath fans that vent into the attic. Insulation work is a separate trade, and we will tell you if you need it.
When a New Roof Is the Real Fix
If ice dams come back every winter, the roof is old, or the decking along the eaves is rotted, replacement is often the lasting answer. A new Martin roof is a full GAF system with ice and water shield on every eave and balanced ventilation. Most roofs are done in a day, and we do year round installs. See roof replacement.
Why Homeowners Call Martin About Ice Dams
- GAF Master Elite, a status fewer than 2% of roofing contractors hold.
- Since 2006, we have helped thousands of Rockford-area homeowners.
- Open 24/7, with tarping within 24 hours when water is coming in.
- Free inspections for everyone.
- Financing as low as $149/month for qualified buyers. See financing options.
Have an ice dam or a winter leak? Request your free inspection or call (815) 624-6278. For prevention tips, read how to prevent ice dams.
Ice Dam FAQ
Why does my ceiling leak only in the winter?
Often because of an ice dam. Snow melts on the warm upper roof, refreezes at the cold edge, and the water trapped behind the ice backs up under the shingles. When it warms up, the leak stops, so it seems to come and go with the weather.
Does ice and water shield stop ice dams?
It does not stop ice from forming, but it keeps the water an ice dam traps from getting through the roof deck. Every Martin roof gets ice and water shield on every eave. Good ventilation helps keep the ice from forming in the first place.
Can you fix an ice dam leak in the middle of winter?
Yes. We work year round. If water is coming in, we can tarp within 24 hours, then make the permanent repair when it is safe to work on the roof.
Will better attic ventilation help with ice dams?
Usually, yes. Air moving in at the soffits and out near the ridge keeps the roof deck colder, so snow melts more evenly and is less likely to refreeze at the edge.
Is an ice dam inspection free?
Yes. Inspections are free for everyone. We photograph the damage and the cause and give you a written plan.
Should I repair or replace a roof that keeps getting ice dams?
If the roof is in good shape, fixing the damage and the ventilation is usually enough. If the roof is old or the decking along the eaves is rotted, a new roof with ice and water shield on every eave is often the better spend.
Do you remove ice dams?
Depending on what we find, we can also remove the ice dam. We’ll make that call when we see your roof.
