Water Coming Through the Ceiling From an Ice Dam? Your First 24 Hours

The first 15 minutes

1. Power off any circuit where water meets electrical fixtures.
2. Catch the water with buckets, towels and plastic sheeting. Move furniture and electronics out of the drip zone.
3. A bulging, water-filled spot in drywall or plaster can be relieved by a small hole at its lowest point, made carefully over a bucket, so the ceiling doesn't let go all at once. Only do this if the area is not near wiring, and you're comfortable doing it.
4. Photograph and video everything: the ceiling, the walls, the outside ice, and any damaged belongings. Note the date and time.

The next few hours

1. Lighten the roof edge from the ground. A roof rake can pull snow off the lower few feet so less melt feeds the dam. Use a light touch: the University of Minnesota Extension notes rakes can damage roofing.
2. Call for professional ice dam removal. Pros typically use low-pressure steam to cut channels through the ice without damaging shingles. The Extension notes a channel lets trapped water drain, but only works for a few days.
3. Call your insurer if there's interior damage. Many homeowners policies cover sudden water damage inside the house from ice dams, while removing the ice dam itself is often treated as maintenance. Policies differ, so check yours.

Never do this

Days 1–7: dry before you repair

The Extension's advice is to dry wet areas immediately to prevent mold, and not to repair finishes until ceilings and walls are dry. Wet insulation in the attic may need to come out. Stains that keep spreading mean water is still getting in.

Spring: the permanent fix

1. Air seal the attic floor: lights, hatches, chases, top plates and bath fan ducts.
2. Insulate to current levels once the leaks are sealed.
3. Keep natural ventilation paths open at the soffits. The Extension does not recommend mechanical attic fans for ice dams.
4. Repair the ceiling. Drywall or plaster, matched to the room.

Smooth handles all four steps, from attic air sealing to plaster repair, so the fix and the finish are one job. See Follow the Heat for the full explanation.

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