The Lasting Damage Ice Dams Can Cause (and Why Now’s the Time to Check)
🌷 The Snow Is Gone… But Trouble Could Be Just Beginning
The grass is greening up. The days are longer. Birds are chirping again.
Spring is officially unfolding here in Jefferson City and across Mid-Missouri.
But even as we shake off winter, some homes are just starting to reveal the damage left behind by months of freezing, thawing, and snow buildup. One of the most common culprits?
Ice dams.
Most homeowners don’t even realize they had one—until weeks later, when stains start showing up on ceilings, paint begins to bubble, or attic insulation smells musty. The truth is, ice dams can cause serious damage that only becomes visible after the thaw.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
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What ice dams are and how they form
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Why they’re so dangerous in our Missouri climate
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The springtime signs your home may have suffered hidden damage
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And how Professional Choice Contracting can help with a free roof and gutter inspection to catch problems early
🧊 What Is an Ice Dam?
Even if you didn’t see one form this winter, it could’ve been sitting quietly along the edge of your roof.
Here’s how ice dams happen:
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Snow builds up on your roof.
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Warm air from your attic melts the snow underneath.
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The water runs down toward your gutters.
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It hits the colder edge of the roof and refreezes.
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That ice builds up into a dam—and new meltwater gets stuck behind it.
The trapped water has nowhere to go. So it finds the path of least resistance—under your shingles, into your roof decking, and down into your walls and ceilings.
📍 Why Ice Dams Are a Bigger Problem in Mid-Missouri Than You Might Think
You might associate ice dams with Minnesota or Michigan—but our freeze/thaw cycles in Jefferson City and Central Missouri make them just as common (and often more damaging).
In our area:
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Temps fluctuate wildly—a 50° day often follows a snowstorm.
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Older homes dominate the region, many with poor insulation or ventilation.
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Shaded roofs or tree cover prevent snow from melting evenly.
It’s the perfect storm for ice dam formation—and most people don’t even know they’ve got one until long after the damage has been done.
🧱 The Real Damage Left Behind by Ice Dams
Now that spring is here, your roof, walls, and ceilings might finally be showing the evidence of water intrusion that started months ago.
Structural Damage
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Rotting roof decking, fascia boards, and soffits
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Warped or disconnected gutters
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Sagging roof edges or soft spots along the eaves
Interior Water Damage
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Ceiling stains, often near exterior walls
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Peeling paint or bubbling drywall
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Musty smells or mold forming behind walls or insulation
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Wet or compacted attic insulation
Electrical & Energy Efficiency Issues
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Water near wiring and fixtures can pose fire hazards
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Damaged insulation leads to drafts and higher energy bills
The scariest part? Much of this damage starts invisibly and spreads slowly—until it becomes expensive to fix.
🕵️ How to Tell If an Ice Dam Caused Damage This Winter
Even if you didn’t notice anything during the cold months, you might be seeing symptoms now. As the weather warms, water trapped in materials or insulation begins to seep, stain, or smell.
Here are some red flags to watch for:
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Brown or yellow ceiling spots
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Paint peeling or cracking near baseboards or ceilings
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Damp or musty smells in your attic or upper-level closets
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Icicles that hung from your gutters during the winter (a classic sign of ice dam formation)
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Gutters pulling away from your home or appearing warped
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Cold spots near attic access or second-floor corners
If you’re seeing any of these signs—or if your roof was covered in snow for long periods—your home may have suffered unseen water damage from an ice dam.
🧰 What You Should Do Now: Spring Inspection & Prevention
Now is the time to act. If you wait until summer rains start, that hidden moisture can become active leaks, mold colonies, and major structural problems.
✅ Step 1: Schedule a Free Roof & Gutter Inspection
At Professional Choice Contracting, we offer no-obligation inspections to help you catch and understand winter damage. Our spring assessments include:
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Checking shingles, flashing, and roof decking near the eaves
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Examining gutters and downspouts for signs of ice-related stress
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Inspecting soffits, fascia, and siding
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Looking inside attic spaces for moisture, mold, or wet insulation
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Identifying leaks, rot, or compromised roof structure
And because we’re fully licensed, insured, and local to Jefferson City, we know exactly what to look for—and how to fix it efficiently.
🛠️ How We Can Help: Repairs, Restoration & Prevention
If we find damage, we’ll walk you through what needs to be done. No pressure—just honest advice and quality work. We can help with:
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Gutter repair or replacement
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Fascia and soffit repair
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Roof patching or shingle replacement
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Interior water damage repair
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Improved attic insulation and ventilation
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Preventative solutions to reduce future ice dam risks
We’ll also document any damage for insurance purposes and help you understand your options if a claim makes sense.
💬 What Our Customers Say
“We had a mystery stain in the guest room that kept growing after the snow melted. PCC came out, found rot from an old ice dam, and fixed the gutter and attic venting. I never would’ve known!”
— Jessica R., Jefferson City
“Professional, courteous, and fast. They spotted hidden water in our attic and got everything fixed before it became mold. Highly recommend these guys.”
— Tom H., Linn
📞 Don’t Wait for Leaks to Show Up—Get Ahead of the Damage
Your home might look fine on the outside, but ice dams work quietly and often leave their mark weeks or months later. If you’re seeing signs—or even if you’re not sure—let’s take a look before spring storms make things worse.
Call Professional Choice Contracting today for a free spring roof and gutter inspection.
📲 (573) 424-1047
💻 Or schedule your appointment online
📍 Serving Jefferson City and all communities within a 60-mile radius, including Columbia, Fulton, Linn, and Eldon.
Your home protected. Your mind at ease. That’s what we do best.
