Know the importance of recognizing snow and ice damage to your home's exterior, and ways to handle it once it has occured.
We are entering the time of year when snow and ice storms can cause significant damage to roofs, gutters, and awnings. One of the most common issues we are seeing is ice dams, which occur when melting snow refreezes at the roof’s edge and blocks proper drainage. This trapped water can seep beneath roofing materials, leading to leaks, wet insulation, ceiling damage, and mold or mildew. To help you stay proactive this winter, we have developed a step-by-step guide to identifying damage caused by ice and snow.
Step 1- Check Your Gutters and Downspouts.
Be sure to check for ice buildup by looking for large icicles or thick ice forming in your gutters and downspouts. These are key indicators of ice dams. You will also want to inspect your gutters for any sagging or visible damage to the naked eye. Ice accumulation adds significant weight, which can cause gutters to sag, detach, or crack. Checking your drainage is also very important to ensure water flows freely through downspouts as the ice melts, because blockages can worsen ice dam formation.
Step 2- Inspect Your Roof from the Ground
While some types of damage may be hard to identify without stepping on a ladder, some things you can see from below from ground level. Look for ridges of ice along the edges of your roof, particularly near overhangs, and look for uneven snow melt. Uneven patches of snow or ice could indicate areas where heat is escaping and creating prime conditions for ice dams to form. This could also cause some loose, missing, or lifted singles or other roofing materials to be affected by water seepage or ice expansion.
Step 3- Examine Exterior Structures
You will want to check any exterior structures like vents, pipes, skylights, etc., for ice buildup and potential leaks around sealed areas. For awnings you will want to look for sagging, tears, or damaged support frames caused by ice accumulation.
Step 4- Inspect the Interior
Two obvious signs of damage you can spot from the inside are water stains and drafts. Take a look for discoloration, streaks, or damp areas on ceilings and walls, especially near the roofline on your ceiling. While looking for those, take note of any temperature fluctuations, as these could be indications of insulation issues that may be related to ice dam damage.
Step 5- Schedule a Consultation
After completing the previous steps, if you notice any of the mentioned issues or you feel unsure about another potential sign of damage, you should call a roofing company. Roofing companies (like Morley Roofing!) can use expert tools and experience to examine your roof and gutters for damage and make necessary repairs to ensure no further damage can occur to your structure.
There are many reasons to call Morley Roofing for your free consultation, but a few principles truly set us apart. With more than 40 years of trusted relationships serving Louisville homes, businesses, and schools, we bring experience, stability, and a deeply personal approach to every project. We provide competitive pricing while delivering high-level craftsmanship for both repairs and replacements, always focused on protecting the integrity of your structure.
Our work is guided by three core commitments: care, craftsmanship, and communication. We care for every home as if it were our own, showing up to each site with pride, respect, and a personal commitment to protecting what matters most. Our craftsmanship reflects unwavering integrity—no shortcuts, no surprises—just a consistent, high-touch service experience. Throughout the process, we prioritize clear, attentive communication, ensuring our customers feel informed, supported, and confident from consultation through completion.
