Ice Damming in North Carolina: What Homeowners Should Know After Winter Storms
- Ashley Smith
- Feb 6
- 2 min read
❄️ Ice Damming Explained: What North Carolina Homeowners Need to Know After the Winter Storm
After the recent winter storm impacting Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Rougemont, Burlington, Graham, Greensboro, the Piedmont Triad, Winston-Salem, Gastonia, and the Charlotte area, many North Carolina homeowners are now noticing winter roof leaks and moisture issues.
At Always Forward Roofing, we get a lot of questions this time of year so let’s break it down clearly.
If you prefer a visual explanation, you can also watch a video from our official Always Forward Roofing YouTube channel, where our owner breaks down what ice damming is, why it happens, and what homeowners in North Carolina should know after winter storms. This video walks through the process step by step and explains why ice damming is often related to heat loss and ventilation not installation defects.
Ice damming happens when warm air from inside your home escapes into the attic and warms the roof decking. That heat melts snow higher up on the roof. As the melted snow flows downward, it reaches the colder roof edges where heat from the home can’t reach, causing the water to refreeze and form a ridge of ice.
Once that ice dam forms, additional melting snow has nowhere to go. Instead of draining off the roof, water can back up behind the ice and slip underneath shingles, leading to leaks, water stains, and interior damage.
For homeowners who want a deeper understanding of how ice dams form and how they can be prevented, the University of Minnesota Extension offers a helpful breakdown on dealing with and preventing ice dams, including why insulation, ventilation, and air sealing play such a critical role in stopping winter roof damage.
Important for Central North Carolina Homeowners to Know
Ice damming can occur even on a properly installed roof
It is caused by weather conditions and heat loss, not installation defects
In Central North Carolina, ice & water shield at eaves and rakes is not required by building code
Extended ice & water protection is available as an optional upgrade for added peace of mind
If you’re seeing leaks after this storm, the long-term solution often focuses on:
Improving attic insulation
Air sealing heat leaks
Upgrading ventilation
Adding protective roofing measures
Our goal at Always Forward Roofing is education first, so homeowners understand what’s happening and what options truly make sense.
If your home in Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, or surrounding NC communities experienced winter weather impacts, now is the time to act.
We’ll help you identify ice damming risks and prevent costly damage before it worsens.
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