top of page

Ice Dams on Roofs in Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Damage Homes

agcwebdev

Updated: Feb 1



Ice dam damage to roof eaves and gutter system on a brick home in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area.
Ice dam damage to roof eaves and gutter system on a brick home in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area.


The Winter months bring an assortment of challenges to areas like ours that experience a wide array of temperatures and precipitation. It’s this time of year when ice dams on roofs throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, can cause homeowners headaches in the way of thousands of dollars to repair or replace structural damage both outside and inside the home. Associated costs can entail repair or replacement of your roof, gutters or in worse case scenarios, you may also wind up with structural damage to your home’s insulation, drywall, joists, floors and foundation.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a barrier of ice that forms along the edge of a roof as snow continuously thaws and refreezes along the roof’s eaves and gutters. As the snow melts, water pools up behind the ice dam barrier which prevents water from properly draining from the roof, into gutters and away from your home’s foundation. As water pools on the roof, it will drain off of it and cascade along the outside of your home. In worse case scenarios, water will leak through your roof and into your home. Damaged roofs, gutters and lack of drainage will continuously worsen damage to the roof, gutters, walls, ceilings, insulation and over time it will damage other structural areas of your home such as its foundation, wooden joists, and flooring.


Ice dam damage to roof eaves and gutter system on a brick home in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area.
Ice dam damage to roof eaves and gutter system on a brick home in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area.

How Do Ice Dams Damage Roofs and Homes?

Once an ice dam forms and causes water to pool, the water can work its way under a roof’s asphalt shingles, which can then soak into the roof deck and sheathing which will eventually weaken and collapse your roof. Also concerning, is a soaked roof deck means that water can then continue to penetrate your home and enter the attic, saturating attic insulation. When attic insulation becomes saturated, water will then make its way into your home’s drywall. The resulting damp areas allow for mold and mildew to grow and accumulate. Left untreated, this water incursion can eventually cause structural damage such as drywall warping of walls and ceilings, floors can become uneven or worse, over time you may see signs of structural wood rot. If you suspect that water is seeping into your home, in addition to having a professional assess damage and repairs, you should also consider having a professional assess potential health concerns concerning mold/mildew so those issues can be mitigated before repairs are made. In addition to water damage, ice dams and icicles overhanging a roof’s eaves can damage shingles along the roof-line, gutter system and landscaping or other items on your property as they break away and fall.

Will Insurance Cover Costs of Damage Caused by Ice Dams?

While most insurance companies do not have specific coverage for damage caused by an ice dam itself, they may allow for coverage of certain types of property damage that may result from an unusual, unexpected and abrupt weather event. All things considered, it really depends on the specific policy. Homeowners may want to consider a policy that can help with severe situations that result in and involve damage to the interior of a home, especially in cases where there is loss of use due to the home no longer being livable.


With that said, be prepared to battle your insurance provider as they will most likely try to deny coverage off the bat. They may say that the damage was caused due to the homeowners negligence in making the necessary repairs that led to the damage over long periods of time. With this in mind, homeowners should make it a priority to adequately maintain their home and also review their policy in the event damage occurs that is out of the ordinary. Examples of what may be considered out of the ordinary are a weather event that dropped an unusually high amount of snow/ice/hail or if the ice dam caused damage due to product defects and not a lack of maintenance or improper installation. It’s important to note that most homeowners policies exclude structural damage to certain structures impacted by water or ice which includes:

  • Foundations

  • Retaining Walls

  • Pavement

  • Patios

Dwelling coverage may help offset the expense to repair ice dam damage, but the bottom line is that insurance companies will make the claims process for damage caused by ice dams, a rigorous one. Additionally, the process becomes more difficult if other claims (not just ice dam damage) have been filed in the past. If you believe your insurer is unjustly denying a claim and there’s a strong case as to why they should cover your claim, you may be able to fight them in court.


Ice dam damage to roof eaves and gutter system on a building in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area.
Ice dam damage to roof eaves and gutter system on a building in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area.

What Can Homeowners in Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Do to Prevent Ice Dams and Damage to Homes?

Proper and regular maintenance of your roof, gutter system and drainage system, from downspouts to underground drainage, is the key to mitigating ice dams for our neighbors throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Proper ventilation and adequate insulation are also essential in order to decrease the risk of ice dams forming. Ensuring proper ventilation means that the soffit and ridge vents are functioning correctly and the roof is properly insulated as well - the insulation baffle. It’s equally as important that along with insulating your roof and ensuring proper ventilation, that you also ensure that the attic is properly ventilated and is adequately insulated and sealed for air leaks, in order to maintain a consistently cool temperature. By adequately insulating your home, you will prevent heat from entering and warming the attic, which also helps cut down your energy costs. Dangling icicles indicate there is a potential ventilation/insulation issue with your home that needs to be addressed, so it’s important to be proactive and inspect your home. Also keep in mind, that routine maintenance throughout the year is also key in preventing issues such as ice dams. Spring and Fall are great times to prepare your home for the coming hot and cold months, by cleaning and inspecting your roof, gutters, downspouts as well as water being able to drain away from your home with an underground drainage solution.

Conclusion for Dealing with Ice Dams in Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

Moderate winter weather throughout Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky can lead to ice dams that can damage roofs, gutters and other structures in and around your home because ice dam barriers do not allow for water to properly drain. Roofs, gutters, downspouts and drains must remain clear and functioning, well before issues arise or damage can result in the way of thousands of dollars in repair costs, inconvenient living conditions and headaches getting claims processed and paid for by an insurer. We strongly advise homeowners to let professionals assess, mitigate and resolve issues concerning ice dams as it can be very dangerous for a homeowner to do it themselves without the right equipment or experience in doing so. Ultimately, it’s important to conduct routine maintenance and assessments in order to get ahead of and ensure water is draining properly.


If you’re in the Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky area and you have concerns about or are experiencing any of the ice dam issues discussed in this article, Anderson Gutter Company is happy to be of service. Call us @ 513-668-8666 or contact us for an assessment/inspection and get a free, no obligation, estimate.

10 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page