Emergency · Ice Dam Roof Leak Emergency
Ice Dam Leaking Into Your Home — Attic, Ceiling, and Wall Damage
Ice dams push water under the shingles into your attic and walls. How to stop the indoor spread and document it before the ice melts. Call (888) 840-6512 to reach a certified water damage restoration company in your area; the line is answered 24/7.
Quick answer
An ice dam pushes meltwater up under the shingles and into the attic, so the leak keeps running while the roof looks fine from the ground. Deal with the inside first: contain the drips, cut power to any fixture that is wet, and photograph the stains before they dry. Do not chip at the ice — that takes the shingles with it; steam removal is the trade that does this safely. Typical $1,500–$12,000, and the wet insulation is on a 72-hour clock. To get the attic and ceiling cavity dried properly, (888) 840-6512, answered 24/7.
Press 1 for water damage or 2 for mold, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for about half a minute while it connects — that is normal, stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute. Have ready: the address with ZIP, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have opened an insurance claim.
The calls in order, and why: Who to call for water coming through the ceiling
Emergency checklist
Identify active leak points: water dripping from ceiling fixtures, attic floor wet spots, or water running down interior walls near eaves
⚠ Ice dam leaks can run along rafters and appear far from the roof entry point
Place buckets under active drips; move furniture and electronics out of the drip zone; lay plastic sheeting to protect flooring
⚠ Do not climb on an icy roof — use a roof rake from the ground to pull snow back 3–4 feet from the eave
If safe, check the attic for standing water on insulation or at eave blocking — document with photos
⚠ Attic water can wick into insulation and wall cavities invisibly for days
Do NOT use heat cables on the dam directly — this causes uneven melting and can push water into new roof penetrations
⚠ Only a professional should cut channels in the ice dam for controlled drainage
Photograph the ice dam from outside (ground level), all interior ceiling stains, wet insulation, and water on walls — date-stamp photos
⚠ Insurance adjusters need to link the ice dam to the interior damage
Call IICRC restoration for interior moisture mapping and drying — call a roofing contractor for ice dam removal and temporary roof protection
⚠ Interior moisture from ice dam leaks continues to migrate even after the dam melts
Mold growth timeline
Mold Growth Clock
What happens hour by hour after water damage
0h
elapsed
Water Intrusion
lowHour 0Water enters the structure. Clock starts NOW.
Recommended Action
Shut off water source, move valuables off floor, begin documentation with photos/video.
Next milestone: Absorption Begins at 1 Hour
All Milestones
Ice Dam Roof Leak Emergency FAQ
Is ice dam damage covered by homeowners insurance?
Interior water damage from ice dams (ceiling, walls, insulation) is typically covered under the dwelling coverage of a standard HO-3 policy as sudden accidental damage. The cost of removing the ice dam itself from the roof is usually not covered. Document the damage and call your insurer before any major cleanup.
How do I stop an ice dam from leaking into my house right now?
You cannot remove an ice dam safely in an emergency. From the ground, use a roof rake to pull snow back 3–4 feet from the eave to cut off the dam's water supply. Inside, protect your belongings, place containers under drips, and call a restoration company for moisture assessment.
How long does ice dam water damage take to dry?
Attic insulation saturated by ice dam leaks takes 5–10 days to dry with commercial equipment. Wet drywall and wall cavities take 3–7 days. Without professional drying equipment, saturated insulation and framing can harbor mold for weeks after the ice dam melts.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. A recorded menu picks up first: choose water damage or mold, key in your 5-digit ZIP code, and hold through the short silence while the call is passed to the company.
Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line. If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.
Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7
Read the full guide: attic mold after roof leak
(888) 840-6512