We have lived in our home here in Massachusetts for about 30 years now and this is the first winter we have ever had a problem with ice dams. A couple of weeks ago I noticed water dripping down from 2 separate spots in my kitchen around and between 2 of my 5 skylights - they were installed in '85 plus we had a new roof put on 11 years ago. Soon after, water also began leaking through the middle of my kitchen ceiling which ended up breaking through the plaster and leaving me with a 12" hole to repair. I called a roofing company and they came up to remove as much ice as they could. And my son used a roof rake to try and remove as much snow as he could. The dripping stopped for a couple of weeks but unfortunately we had more snow yesterday and today my ceiling was leaking in five different places. My 12" hole is becoming larger, I'm losing more plaster, and I'm scared that I'm going to eventually lose the ceiling. The water has been really pouring out of the hole and I don't know what to do! I called two roofers and both of them told me that they cannot do a thing for me right now because it is too dangerous to get way up on our top roof which is the one above our skylights that we can't reach with the snow rake. I am at my wits end because we are going on vacation for a week this Sunday! Is it true that at this point there is nothing I can do but wait it out and just let all the water pour into my kitchen buckets? Or shall I keep trying to get help? Please is there anything all I can do? I thank you for any advice you can give me.

I'll give you an instantaneous trick. If you can, puncture a small hole in the ceiling at the low point.

Then take a ladder or whatever you can to fasten a funnel as high as you can. Attach a hose to the end of the funnel and channel to the sink. Old trick.

If there is one major ceiling leak, get something big in the attic with a hose bib through a hole in the attic. Channel it to the sink.

Yes the roofers were honest with what they said.

Believe it or not keepItSimpleStupid gave you a very good way to help to control the sistuation. I love it. Makes sense to me!

Lets address the reason for the ice dam. The insulation there is to low in 'R" vaule or there is not proper air flow.

Hears some info on ice dams and why that happens.

Ice dams and attic condensation (http://www.statefarm.com/learning/loss_prevent/learning_lossprevention_icedams.asp)


Signed 21 Boat

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You got some great advice so far. I might add that lowering your thermostat while you are gone will help a small amount. Too much heat is in your attic and not enough fresh air circulation. Lowering your heat to around 50 and anything to increase fresh air circulation will lessen the melting of snow behind the dam. Make sure you discuss this with your insurance agent, don't file a claim just yet but check to see if you have coverage for ice dams, it's not standard for all policies.