Learn — Home & property
Ice dam
What an ice dam is, how roof ice buildup forces water back under shingles and into the home, and how homeowners insurance treats ice-dam water damage.
An ice dam is ice buildup at the roof edge that forces water under shingles and into the home. Ice dams are common in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin winters.
Many standard homeowners policies cover resulting water damage but not ice dam removal itself — prevention and maintenance matter.