An ice dam forms when snow melts over a warm attic and refreezes at the cold roof edge. The ridge of ice holds back the next round of meltwater, which backs up under the shingles and runs into the house.
Meltwater from the eaves
Ice Dam and Roof Leak Water Damage in Stillwater, MN
Ice dams push meltwater under the shingles and into the attic, ceilings and exterior walls. The restoration team traces the wet path from the eaves down, removes soaked insulation and dries every wet cavity.
(888) 432-4933Report meltwater dripping from the eaves inside Attic moisture checks Wet insulation removal Ceiling cavity drying
Why it works
Why the dry-out is measured, not guessed
Dispatch at any hour
The response team runs 24/7, and active water is treated as urgent on nights, weekends and holidays.
IICRC S500 drying standard
Moisture mapping comes first, then air movers and LGR dehumidifiers sized to the class of loss.
A claim file built as it happens
Timestamped photos before demolition, a moisture map and daily psychrometric logs go to the adjuster.
Built for cold-climate homes
Basements, sump pits, frozen pipes and ice dams lead the local list, so checks start below grade and at the eaves.
Do this first
What to do first for ice dam and roof leak water damage
Safe steps for the household while the response team is on the way.
- 1
Catch the drips. Set buckets and move furniture away.
- 2
Cut ceiling power. Turn off light fixtures under wet ceilings.
- 3
Poke no holes. Leave sagging drywall for the crew to open.
- 4
Photograph stains. Record the ceiling and wall stains as they grow.
Cost and insurance
What does ice dam and roof leak water damage cost in Stillwater, MN?
Ice dam roof leak water damage here usually runs $800 to $3,000 for one ceiling area, $3,000 to $7,500 when insulation and wall cavities are wet, and $7,500 to $15,000 for leaks across several rooms.
One ceiling area
$800 to $3,000
- Ceiling readings
- Small openings
- Cavity drying
Insulation and walls wet
$3,000 to $7,500
- Wet insulation removed
- Wall cavity openings
- Air movers and LGR
Several rooms
$7,500 to $15,000
- Multiple ceilings opened
- Plaster or drywall removal
- Extended drying
Ranges are typical, not a quote: category of water, square footage, material class and how fast drying started move the number most. Run the water damage cost calculator for a closer range, and check your own policy for what it covers.
How it works
How ice dam and roof leak water damage is handled, step by step
1
Trace
Follow the wet path from the eaves.
2
Remove
Wet insulation and ceiling sections out.
3
Dry
Air movers into the opened cavities.
4
Verify
Readings at the eaves and walls.
The full picture
Ice Dam and Roof Leak Water Damage, explained
How meltwater travels inside
Water from an ice dam soaks the attic insulation first, then runs along the top plates and down inside exterior walls. Stains often show up at the corner where the ceiling meets an outside wall, or around a window header, far from where the water entered.
What the crew checks from the attic down
- Wet or matted insulation along the eaves
- Ceiling drywall that reads wet past the visible stain
- Exterior wall cavities below the leak path
- Window and door headers on the same wall
Why wet insulation comes out
Fiberglass and cellulose that soak up meltwater lose their value as insulation and hold water against the drywall. Removing the wet section lets the ceiling dry and keeps the next freeze from building a bigger dam.
The roof is a separate repair
Removing the ice and fixing shingles, flashing or attic ventilation is roofer work. The restoration team handles the water inside: extraction, removal of wet materials and drying to a measured standard.
Service area
Ice dam and roof leak water damage across Stillwater and the St. Croix Valley
The drying team covers ZIP 55082 and 55083, from the downtown riverfront and the older homes near Main Street out along Highway 36 and Highway 96 to the Manning Avenue border.
Nearby coverage reaches Lake Elmo, Hudson, WI, Mahtomedi, Oakdale, White Bear Lake, Oak Park Heights, Bayport, Houlton, WI.
Water still moving? (888) 432-4933
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FAQ
Ice Dam and Roof Leak Water Damage questions in Stillwater, MN
Still wet right now?
Meltwater dripping from the ceiling near an outside wall? The drying team handles ice dam water 24/7.
(888) 432-4933 (888) 432-4933Ask about the stain by the windowWhy do ice dam roof leaks happen inside warm homes?
Heat escaping into the attic melts the snow on the roof. The water refreezes at the cold eaves, and the ice ridge forces the next meltwater under the shingles.
Is ice dam roof leak damage covered by insurance?
Many policies cover sudden water damage from an ice dam, while the roof repair and ice removal may be treated differently. Check your own policy.
Does an ice dam roof leak mean replacing the ceiling?
Not always. Small wet areas can dry in place. Sagging or crumbling drywall and soaked insulation are removed so the cavity can dry.
How long does drying take after an ice dam roof leak?
Most ceiling and wall cavities dry in three to five days once wet insulation is out. Plaster ceilings in older homes take longer.
Who removes the ice dam itself?
A roofer or ice dam service removes the ice and fixes the roof. The restoration team dries the water that already got inside.
24/7 emergency dispatch
Ice dam leak spreading? Get the ceiling dried.
Meltwater soaks attic insulation and runs down inside walls. The restoration team removes what is wet and dries every cavity.
(888) 432-4933Have the meltwater damage traced
Stillwater Water Damage Restoration
Stillwater, MN
(888) 432-4933
Open 24 / 7 / 365
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