Ice Storm Damage to Homes: What to Check Afterward

Ice Storm Damage Starts Outside: Check for Hazards First

After an ice storm, check outside hazards before you look at the house, and work in a safe order: people, then gas, then electricity, then water. Ready.gov says winter storms can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice and high winds, and can cut off heat, power and communication services. The NAIC says snow and ice accumulation can make tree limbs snap off and fall onto houses or power lines. Use this checklist for winter storm damage, one line each:

• People first. Get everyone out and call 911 for a limb through the roof or a wall, a sagging or bulging ceiling, sparking electrics or structural damage.
• Gas. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. Use nothing that can spark on the way out, because Ready.gov says electrical sparks can ignite leaking gas (the CDC gives the same advice).
• Downed lines. Stay clear of fallen power lines and call the electric company to report them, as the CDC advises. The National Weather Service says not to touch downed power lines or objects in contact with them.
• Electricity indoors. Never touch a panel, breaker, switch, cord or plugged-in device while standing in water or on a wet floor. The CDC and FEMA say never to turn power on or off, or use an electric tool or appliance, while standing in water.
• Generators. Ready.gov says to use generators only outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages.
• Look up. Watch for hanging limbs before you walk around the house.
• Roof line and ceilings. Check for strain and ice dam leaks, covered below.
• Pipes. Check for frozen or burst pipes, covered below.
• Document everything once it is safe.

Fallen Limbs and Trees

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) advises assessing downed trees or large limbs that may fall. If a tree or limb is in your driveway or yard, call a tree care professional. If it is on a road or sidewalk, call your municipal public works department.

Do not cut it yourself. The CDC says tree cutting is best left to a chain saw operator with training and experience, and that bent or trapped branches can strike the person cutting them with enough force to cause serious injury or death. If a limb has landed on the house, our guide to what to do when a tree falls on your house has the full steps.

Check the Roof for Strain and Ice Dams

Signs the Roof Is Under Strain

The NAIC says heavy snow and ice can cause unseen structural damage and even make a roof collapse. IBHS lists these signs of snow load damage:

• Creaking sounds.
• A sagging roof.
• Cracks in the ceiling or walls.
• Water stains.
• Doors or windows that no longer open and close correctly.

FEMA says that if warning signs like these appear, the building should be promptly evacuated and a local building authority or qualified design professional should inspect it. Water pooling above a ceiling is dangerous. FEMA says to check the ceiling for signs of sagging, because water may be trapped in it. If a ceiling is sagging or bulging, get everyone out from under it and call 911.

Do not climb onto the roof or knock ice off it. FEMA says snow removal is a dangerous activity that should only be done by qualified individuals, and IBHS advises hiring a snow removal contractor.

Ice Dams and Leaks

The NAIC explains that ice dams can cause interior water damage after a storm. They occur when heavy snow melts and refreezes. The ice works its way under the shingles, melts from warm attic air and causes water damage inside. Look for new stains or drips on ceilings and the tops of exterior walls, and for wet insulation in the attic, but only if you can reach the attic safely and the ceiling below is not sagging or dripping.

The NAIC says clearing gutter debris helps meltwater drain, and keeping attic air cold helps limit the freeze-thaw cycle. Both are prevention steps for later, and the NAIC suggests a professional for gutter work if a ladder is not safe. Roof repairs belong to a roofer. For more on what you may find inside, read about what to do about a leaking ceiling and water stains on a ceiling.

Check for Frozen and Burst Pipes

The NAIC says pipes can freeze and break in extreme temperatures. IBHS advises checking for flowing water from faucets. If water is not flowing and you suspect a frozen pipe, follow this plan:

• Know where your main water shutoff is.
• Open the faucet and thaw the pipe slowly with safe heat, never an open flame (American Red Cross and the National Weather Service).
• If a pipe has burst or any leak shows as it thaws, close the main shutoff at once, as the EPA and IBHS advise. Do it only if you can reach it without standing in water near electrics.
• If you cannot find or reach the frozen section, call a licensed plumber, as the American Red Cross advises.

IBHS says to call a plumber to repair any burst pipes. Pipe repair belongs to a plumber. For the steps in detail, see how to unfreeze pipes and what to do when a pipe bursts.

Document the Damage

IBHS advises creating a list and taking photos or videos to document any property losses, and keeping all receipts for services and purchases. The NAIC says to notify your insurance company right away, and notes that the time you have to report a claim varies by state. It also advises reviewing your homeowners coverage for winter weather perils and asking your agent or insurer about anything unclear. We cannot tell you what your policy covers, because that depends on your policy. Our guides on whether homeowners insurance covers frozen pipes and insurance when a tree falls on a house explain what to ask.

When to Call a Professional After an Ice Storm

IBHS advises limiting further damage by hiring a reputable roofer to put a tarp over a damaged roof, and a restoration service for water removal before mold becomes an issue. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Call a professional if you find any of these:

• A limb through the roof or a wall.
• Water stains or drips from ice dams.
• Water from a burst pipe.
• Wet insulation or drywall.

Once tree work and roof tarping are handled by the right trades, we can remove the water from ice dam leaks or burst pipes and dry the house. Our storm damage repair page explains our work, our tree damage restoration page covers limbs that hit the house, and our frozen pipe water damage page covers burst pipes. For wind-related roof problems, see wind damage to a roof. Green State Restoration offers 24/7 emergency storm damage restoration, so call us at (425) 300-6431.