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Ice Dams (Ice Damming) — What To Do If Your Ceiling Is Leaking

Ice dams can cause sudden ceiling leaks and serious interior damage. Ice damming happens when roof snow melts, runs down, and refreezes at the cold roof edge/gutter line. That refrozen ridge traps water behind it. With nowhere to drain, the water can back up under shingles and leak into the home.

Common Signs of Ice Damming

• Large icicles hanging from the gutter line
• Ice buildup along the roof edge
• Water dripping during freezing temperatures
• Ceiling stains, bubbling paint, or damp drywall

Temporary Steps You Can Try (Damage Control)

1. Clear snow above the leak area. Safely remove snow from the gutter line and up the roof surface as far as you can reach. Clear an area at least as wide as the leak location inside (wider is better).
2. Create a drainage path at the roof edge. If ice is sealed at the roof edge, carefully open a small channel so water can escape. Avoid damaging shingles—the goal is drainage, not demolition.
3. Use very hot water (carefully). Pour hot water from higher up on the roof down toward the gutter to help reopen frozen drainage paths. Focus on the gutter and downspout area where ice blocks flow. Repeat as needed.
4. Use calcium chloride to prevent refreezing. Spread calcium chloride along the roof edge/gutter line where the ice dam is forming. Calcium chloride works at lower temperatures and helps keep the drainage path open so meltwater can continue flowing.
5. Pro tip: “Calcium chloride socks” (controlled melt channels). Fill a pantyhose leg or long sock with calcium chloride and tie it off. Lay it perpendicular to the gutter line so one end is higher on the roof and the other end crosses the ice at the gutter edge. This helps melt a narrow channel through the ice for water to drain. Use multiple socks spaced a few feet apart in the affected area.
6. Check the downspout. If the downspout is frozen or blocked and you can safely clear it, restoring flow can significantly reduce water backup.

Why These Steps Work

The goal is to relieve back pressure caused by the ice dam and give melting water a clear path to drain off the roof (through the gutter/downspout) instead of backing up under the shingles.

The Correct Long-Term Solution (Permanent Fix)

Once conditions dry out, the permanent fix typically involves installing ice & water shield along the roof eaves. A roofer will remove the gutter if needed, remove approximately 4 feet of shingles from the roof edge upward, install the protective membrane on the roof deck and properly seal the eave, then reinstall matching shingles and the gutter system.

Need Professional Help?

If you have an active leak or recurring ice dams, damage can happen fast. Terra Nova Construction & Roofing can inspect the roof edge, identify the cause, and recommend the safest and most effective solution.

Call 973-200-1617 for immediate roof leak assistance.