Winter roof guide
Ice Dams in Indiana: What to Do and What to Avoid
Water coming in at the eaves during a thaw? Here is what to do first, what to avoid and how to stop it from returning.
The short answer: If your roof has years left and the damage is in one area, repair it. If shingles are failing across the roof or the same leaks keep returning, a replacement saves money over time. We tell you which one applies, with photos.
The short version
If you see ice building at the eaves and water showing up inside, stay off the roof, protect the room, document the damage and call for help. Do not chip the ice with tools. Then, once the emergency is over, fix the cause, which is almost always heat escaping into the attic and poor ventilation, so that it does not happen again next winter.
An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the roof edge that blocks meltwater from draining. It forms when heat escaping from the house warms the roof, melts snow and the water refreezes at the cold eaves. Water backing up behind the ice can leak under shingles and into the house. Short-term steps reduce damage, but the lasting fix is air sealing, insulation and balanced attic ventilation.
Why ice dams matter in Indianapolis
Indianapolis averages about 25.5 inches of snow a year, based on National Weather Service 1991 to 2020 normals, and winter temperatures swing above and below freezing. Those swings are exactly what melts snow on a warm roof and refreezes it at the eave. Much of Marion County housing is decades old, and the median home was built around 1968. Those homes often have extra layers of roofing, original flashing and little attic insulation, which is the setup for ice dams.
How an ice dam forms, step by step
- Heat from the living space leaks into the attic through gaps around lights, hatches, chimneys, ducts and wiring or through thin insulation.
- The warm attic heats the roof deck and melts the snow lying on it.
- Meltwater runs down toward the eaves, which are colder because they extend past the heated walls.
- At the cold eave, the water refreezes and builds a ridge of ice.
- More meltwater pools behind the ridge and, because shingles shed water downhill, not uphill, it can seep under the shingles and into the house.
Signs you have an ice dam problem
- Thick ridges of ice and long icicles at the eaves, especially when neighbors’ roofs are clear
- Water stains on ceilings or exterior walls during thaws
- Dripping from soffits, or ice inside the gutter that will not drain
- Damp or frosty attic insulation and underside of the roof deck
- Uneven snow melt, with bare patches over heated rooms
- Peeling paint at the top of exterior walls
What to do right now if water is coming in
Protect the inside first
Move furniture and belongings away from the wet area, place buckets and cover what you cannot move with plastic. If a ceiling is bulging with water, keep clear of it. Turn off power to any room where water is near light fixtures or outlets.
Document the damage
Take dated photographs of the ice, the stains and any damage inside. The Indiana Department of Insurance advises photographing damage before temporary repairs and keeping all receipts. If you may file a claim, see our roof insurance claim guide.
Reduce the dam safely from the ground
A roof rake used carefully from the ground can remove snow from the lower roof, which reduces the water available to refreeze. Stay clear of power lines and falling ice. Some homeowners lay calcium chloride in a sock or tube across the dam to melt a channel, which can help water drain. This is a temporary measure and can stain or damage some roofing, gutters and landscaping, so use it sparingly.
What not to do
- Do not chip at ice with hammers, shovels or axes. It damages shingles and can injure you.
- Do not climb onto an icy roof.
- Do not use rock salt on shingles.
- Do not rely on heat cables as the main cure. They can help trouble spots but do not fix the cause.
- Do not stand under falling ice or snow.
Call for help if water is entering
If water is entering the house and conditions allow, call a professional for temporary protection. See emergency roof repair and roof leak repair for how we find the source.
Fixing the cause so it does not come back
Seal air leaks into the attic
Gaps around recessed lights, attic hatches, plumbing and wiring penetrations, top plates and chimney chases let warm air into the attic. Sealing them is usually the highest-value fix, and it is often done by an insulation or weatherization contractor.
Add or correct insulation
Insulation slows heat flow into the attic. Baffles keep a clear airway from the soffits so insulation does not block ventilation.
Balance attic ventilation
Intake at the eaves and exhaust at the ridge keep the underside of the deck cold. See roof ventilation and ice dams for the full explanation.
Protect the eaves
A self-adhering waterproof membrane under the shingles at the eaves gives a backup layer when water does get behind ice. Indiana’s building code requires an ice barrier in 27 northern counties, and Marion County is not on that list, so manufacturer instructions generally govern. We still recommend one on homes with a history of ice dams.
Fix exhaust ducts
Bath fans and dryer vents should exhaust outdoors, not into the attic.
Ice dams and insurance
Coverage varies. Sudden water damage may be covered under some policies, while damage from long-term moisture or lack of maintenance usually is not. Read your policy, photograph the damage, keep receipts and call your insurer promptly. Insurers may consider claims activity at renewal, so know what you are claiming. Avoid permanent repairs before the insurer inspects.
When ice dams are a roof problem, not just an attic problem
Sometimes ice dams reveal that the roof itself is failing. Old shingles, missing underlayment, worn flashing and low-slope sections can all let water in once ice backs it up. If you have leaks every winter, an inspection can tell whether the roof, the attic or both need work. See roof inspection. If the roof is near the end of its life, a replacement is a good time to correct ventilation and add eave protection. See roof replacement in Indianapolis.
A simple winter checklist
- Look at your roof edge after each heavy snow and each thaw
- Keep gutters clear in the fall so meltwater can drain
- Check your attic on a cold day for frost, wet insulation and blocked vents
- Keep bath fans and dryer vents exhausting outdoors
- Photograph problems when they happen
- Call for help early, before water soaks insulation and ceilings
Costs and timing
Short-term ice dam removal and temporary protection are usually priced by the hour or the job. Permanent solutions range from small, such as clearing soffits and adding baffles, to larger projects such as air sealing, insulation and new ventilation. The best time to do the permanent work is before the next winter, and during a roof replacement when the deck is exposed. We give written estimates after inspection and tell you when part of the work belongs with an insulation contractor.
Sources
Snowfall comes from National Weather Service 1991 to 2020 normals for Indianapolis. The median home age figure comes from the Indianapolis housing data we reviewed. Insurance guidance comes from the Indiana Department of Insurance. The ice barrier code point reflects the Indiana building code provision for northern counties. This guide is general information and not engineering or insurance advice.
Ice dam questions, answered
What causes ice dams?
Heat escaping into the attic warms the roof deck and melts snow. The meltwater refreezes at the cold eaves and builds a ridge of ice that traps water behind it.
Can I remove an ice dam myself?
Do not chip it with tools or climb onto an icy roof. A roof rake from the ground can remove snow near the eaves. Call a professional for heavy buildup.
Do heat cables stop ice dams?
They can help trouble spots but do not fix the cause. Air sealing, insulation and ventilation address the source.
Is rock salt safe for shingles?
No. It can damage shingles and corrode gutters and landscaping. Avoid it.
Will my insurance cover ice dam damage?
Coverage depends on the policy and cause. Sudden water damage may be covered and long-term moisture usually is not. Document damage and read your policy.
How do I stop ice dams permanently?
Seal air leaks, add or correct insulation and balance intake and exhaust ventilation so the roof deck stays cold.
Is an ice barrier required in Marion County?
Indiana requires an ice barrier in 27 northern counties, and Marion County is not on that list, so manufacturer instructions generally govern. We still recommend one on homes with a history of ice dams.
Why does my ceiling leak only during thaws?
Thaws melt snow, and ice at the eaves can trap the water so it backs up under shingles. That points to an ice dam or ventilation issue.
When is the best time to fix ice dam causes?
Before next winter, and during a roof replacement when the deck is exposed. Air sealing can be done any time in the attic.
Who should I call for an ice dam leak?
If water is entering, call a roofer for temporary protection and a leak inspection. An insulation contractor can help with air sealing and insulation.
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