Ice dam leaking into the house? What to do now, and whether insurance covers it

1. Catch the water. Buckets and towels under drips, and move furniture and electronics away from wet walls and ceilings.
2. Turn off power to wet ceiling lights at the breaker.
3. Relieve a bulging ceiling carefully by poking a small hole at the lowest point over a bucket. Stay out from underneath.
4. Clear snow from the roof edge from the ground with a roof rake. Don't climb on an icy roof, and don't chip at the ice; it damages shingles.
5. Photograph everything, inside and the ice along the roof edge, with the date.
6. Start drying within 24 to 48 hours. Wet insulation in the attic and walls holds water.
7. Report the claim. Note the dates of the cold snap and when you first saw water.

Many homeowners policies cover interior water damage caused by an ice dam, such as wet ceilings, walls, insulation and belongings, minus your deductible.

What's usually not covered

• Removing the ice dam or the snow on the roof.
• Wear and tear on the roof, or damage from long-term leaks.
• Some policies limit or exclude ice dam damage, so check your water damage and roof sections.

What an ice dam is

Heat escaping from the house melts snow on the roof. The water runs down to the colder roof edge and refreezes into a ridge of ice. More meltwater then backs up behind that ridge, under the shingles and into the attic, walls and ceilings.

Preventing the next one

Better attic insulation and ventilation keep the roof colder and evenly frozen. Raking snow off the lower few feet of the roof after storms also helps. A roofer can look at heat cables or an ice and water barrier when the roof is replaced.

Does homeowners insurance cover ice dam leaks?

Often, for the water damage inside the house. Removing the ice and fixing roof wear usually aren't covered.

Should I chip the ice off?

No. Chipping and salt can damage shingles and gutters. Use a roof rake from the ground or call a roofer.

Why does water show up far from the roof edge?

Meltwater runs along rafters and inside walls before it shows, so stains can appear well away from where it got in.