Snow Melt & Water Damage Prevention for Southeast Indiana

What’s Happening on Your Roof — and How to Prevent It

During winter, it’s common to see snow melting off roofs, long icicles forming along gutters, and water dripping during the day — especially after a fresh snowfall followed by cold nights.

While this may seem normal, it can be a warning sign of a hidden issue called ice dams, one of the most common causes of winter-related home damage in the Midwest.

An ice dam forms when snow on a roof melts, flows downward, and refreezes at the colder roof edges or gutters. Over time, this creates a ridge of ice that blocks additional meltwater from draining off the roof.

As water backs up behind the ice, it can be forced underneath shingles and into the home — even on newer roofs.

Snow does not melt evenly without a reason. In most cases, uneven melting is caused by heat escaping from the house into the attic.

Common contributors include:

• Inadequate attic insulation
• Air leaks around attic hatches, recessed lights, or plumbing penetrations
• Bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans venting into the attic
• Poor attic ventilation

When warm attic air heats the roof surface, snow melts prematurely. That meltwater then refreezes at the colder eaves, starting the ice dam cycle.

Icicles may look harmless or even decorative, but large or excessive icicles often indicate:

• Heat loss through the roof
• Poor attic insulation
• Blocked or frozen gutters
• Active ice dam conditions

In many homes, heavy icicles are the first visible sign that water may already be backing up under the roofing system.

Ice dam damage is often slow and hidden. By the time it becomes visible indoors, the issue may have existed for several winters.

Potential damage includes:

• Water-stained ceilings or walls
• Wet or compressed attic insulation
• Wood rot in roof framing
• Mold growth from repeated moisture exposure
• Damage behind exterior walls near the roofline

Because the water intrusion happens gradually, homeowners often don’t notice the problem until repairs become costly.

Ice dams are rarely a roofing material problem. They are typically an insulation, air sealing, and ventilation issue.

Steps homeowners can take include:

• Keep gutters clear so meltwater can drain
• Monitor areas with heavy icicle formation
• Ensure exhaust fans vent fully outside the home
• Avoid aggressively removing ice or snow from the roof (this can damage shingles)

• Improve attic insulation to reduce heat loss
• Seal attic air leaks around penetrations and access hatches
• Verify proper attic ventilation balance (intake and exhaust)
• Address moisture sources inside the home that increase attic humidity

These improvements not only reduce ice dam risk but also improve energy efficiency and comfort year-round.

For home buyers, ice dams can indicate hidden moisture issues that may not be visible during a typical walkthrough — especially in winter.

For sellers, unresolved ice dam conditions can lead to:

• Last-minute inspection findings
• Unexpected repair negotiations
• Moisture damage discovered after snow melts

Understanding how a home performs in winter conditions is just as important as how it looks in spring.

Snow melting off a roof isn’t always a problem — but uneven melting, heavy icicles, and recurring winter moisture are signals worth paying attention to.

Homes are designed to shed water downward and outward. When water is forced to move backward under roofing materials, damage becomes only a matter of time.

A properly insulated and ventilated home handles winter weather quietly. When it doesn’t, the signs are usually there — you just have to know where to look.

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