What to Do When Your Roof Leaks in Winter

If water is coming through your ceiling in winter, it's almost always an ice dam, not a hole in the roof. Move belongings and set out a bucket, gently pierce a bulging paint bubble to release trapped water, clear snow from the lower few feet of roof if you can do it safely from the ground, and call for professional ice dam steam removal. Don't climb onto the roof and don't chip at the ice.

First: contain the water inside

Move furniture and electronics out of the way and put down buckets and towels. If the ceiling is sagging or a paint bubble is holding water, poke a small hole at the low point with a screwdriver to let it drain into a bucket — a controlled release beats a ceiling collapse.

Why it's probably an ice dam

In the Twin Cities, roof leaks in December through March usually trace to ice dams. Highs in the teens and 20s°F keep the eaves frozen while attic heat and midday sun melt snow higher up. The meltwater refreezes at the edge, pools behind the ice, and works its way under the shingles and into the house.

What NOT to do

• Don't get on a snowy or icy roof — falls are the real danger here.
• Don't chip, hammer, or pick at the ice — cold shingles crack and you'll turn a leak into a bigger repair.
• Don't use a pressure washer.
• Don't dump rock salt on the roof — it corrodes metal and kills the plants below.

Emergency steam removal

Low-pressure steam melts a channel through the dam and clears the eaves without harming the roof. This is the safe way to stop an active leak fast. See ice dam steaming.

Document it for your insurance claim

Photograph the ceiling stains, dripping, damaged belongings, and the ice at the eaves. Note the date. Interior water damage from an ice dam is often covered by homeowners insurance even though the removal usually isn't. See insurance claims assistance.

After the thaw: fix the real cause

Once things dry out, get the roof and attic inspected. The lasting fix is air sealing, insulation, and ventilation so the deck stays cold, plus ice-and-water shield at the eaves the next time the roof is replaced. See roofing services.

Preventing the next one

• Rake the lower 3–4 feet of roof after heavy snow, from the ground
• Keep gutters clear in fall so early meltwater can drain
• Air-seal and top up attic insulation to R-49 or better
• Confirm soffit vents aren't blocked

Frequently asked questions

Will the leak stop when it gets cold again? It often slows, then comes back with the next thaw. The dam has to be removed.

Is emergency service available on weekends? Yes.

Does insurance cover this? Interior damage is often covered; review your policy and document everything.

Can I use a roof rake? Yes, from the ground — never from a ladder on ice.

Stop an active winter leak

Total Home Exteriors handles emergency ice dam steaming across the north metro. Call 612-388-7795 or contact us.