Ice Dams & Roof Leaks in Sherwood Park: Causes, Damage and Prevention

Not all water damage comes from below. In Sherwood Park, freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads and summer hailstorms cause a steady stream of roof leaks, and they usually show up as a brown stain on the ceiling, dripping light fixtures or wet insulation in the attic. Here’s how ice dams and roof leaks happen and what to do about them.

What Is an Ice Dam?

When warm air from the house leaks into the attic, it heats the roof deck and melts the snow above. That meltwater runs down to the cold eaves and refreezes, building a ridge of ice. More meltwater pools behind the ridge and backs up under the shingles, then drips into the attic, walls and ceilings. Ice dams are common after heavy snowfall followed by sunny days, or during mild spells in an Alberta winter.

Signs of an ice dam

• Thick ice along the eaves and icicles hanging from gutters
• Water stains on ceilings near exterior walls
• Damp or frosty insulation in the attic
• Peeling paint or bubbling drywall on upper-floor walls

Other Causes of Roof Leaks in Sherwood Park

• Hail damage: cracked or bruised shingles, damaged vents and flashing after a summer storm
• Wind damage: lifted or missing shingles
• Attic condensation: frost builds up on the underside of the roof deck in very cold weather, then melts all at once during a warm spell, which is often mistaken for a roof leak
• Failed flashing around chimneys, skylights and vents
• Clogged gutters and downspouts

What to Do When Water Comes Through the Ceiling

1. Move furniture and electronics out from under the leak, and put down buckets and towels.
2. If the ceiling is bulging, carefully puncture the lowest point to drain it into a bucket. This can prevent a collapse.
3. Turn off power to light fixtures or fans that have water in them.
4. Photograph the damage and, if safe from the ground, the roof and ice buildup.
5. Don’t climb onto an icy roof or chip at ice dams with a hammer or axe; that damages shingles.
6. Call your insurer and a water damage restoration company in Sherwood Park to dry the attic, ceiling and walls.

How We Restore Ice Dam and Roof Leak Damage

We locate wet areas with thermal imaging and moisture meters, remove saturated attic insulation if needed, dry ceilings and wall cavities, apply antimicrobial to prevent mould, and repair drywall and paint once everything is verified dry. The roof itself should be repaired by a roofer; we coordinate where needed.

Insurance

Sudden roof damage from hail or wind is typically covered by Alberta home policies, and many policies also cover water damage from ice dams. Damage caused by poor maintenance or old roofs may not be. Our insurance guide explains more. Typical ceiling and wall restoration costs are in the cost guide.

Preventing Ice Dams

• Air-seal the attic floor: around light fixtures, attic hatches, plumbing stacks and bathroom fans.
• Add insulation to keep heat in the living space.
• Improve ventilation with soffit and roof vents so the roof deck stays cold.
• Vent bathroom and kitchen fans outdoors, not into the attic.
• Rake snow off the lower few feet of the roof from the ground with a roof rake after big snowfalls.
• Keep gutters clean before winter.