Ice Damming – What North Texas Should Know
If you’ve lived through a North Texas winter storm, you’ve probably noticed something that looks harmless at first—icicles hanging off the edge of a roof or gutters packed with ice. Honestly, they can look kind of nice. But in our line of work, those icicles are often the first clue that ice damming may be happening, and that’s where problems can start.
Ice damming isn’t something most North Texas homeowners think about often, mainly because it doesn’t happen every winter. But when we do get extended freezes, snow, or repeated freeze-thaw cycles, it can cause damage fast—especially to roofs that were never designed for prolonged ice.
So let’s talk about what ice damming actually is, how professionals identify it after a storm, and what repairing that damage usually involves.
How Ice Damming Happens
Ice damming forms when parts of your roof are warm and parts are cold at the same time. Heat from inside the house escapes into the attic and warms the upper section of the roof. Snow or ice melts there, then flows downward until it hits the colder edge of the roof near the eaves. That’s where it refreezes. Over time, that refrozen ice builds up into a ridge—a dam—that traps water behind it.
And here’s the part most homeowners don’t expect. That trapped water doesn’t just sit there. It backs up under shingles, seeps past flashing, and finds its way into roof decking, fascia boards, soffits, and eventually inside the house. By the time you see a water stain on a ceiling, the damage has usually been happening for a while.
A lot of people assume gutters cause ice damming. They don’t. But they absolutely make it worse. Gutters give ice a place to collect and harden. Once they’re packed solid, ice spreads back onto the roof edge and underneath shingles. During roof replacements after winter storms, it’s common for us to find rotted decking and soft wood along the perimeter of the roof because water sat there, frozen and thawing, for days or even weeks.
And yes—this absolutely happens in North Texas.
In fact, homes here are often more vulnerable. Roofing systems in DFW and surrounding areas aren’t typically built for long stretches of snow and ice the way homes are up north. When a rare but severe winter storm hits, roofs, gutters, and attic systems get stressed in ways they’re not used to handling. That’s why ice damming here can be so destructive even if it doesn’t happen often.
Ice Damming Damage To Look For
So how do professionals know ice damming has occurred?
After a winter storm, we’re looking for several things. Icicles along the eaves are an obvious sign, but they’re not the only one. We inspect the roof edge for lifted shingles, damaged flashing, and granule loss caused by ice expansion. Inside, we look for water staining near exterior walls, bubbling paint, damp insulation, or musty smells in the attic. Gutters pulling away from the fascia are another red flag—they often can’t handle the added weight of ice.
If you suspect damage after a winter storm, the best move is to call for a professional inspection sooner rather than later. Waiting for the next rainstorm usually turns a manageable repair into a much bigger restoration job. And trying to remove ice yourself with hammers, salt, or heat almost always causes more harm than good.
Repairing ice dam damage depends on how far the water traveled. Sometimes it’s localized—damaged shingles, compromised flashing, or sections of rotted decking near the eaves. Other times it involves gutter replacement, fascia repair, insulation removal, or interior drywall work. In severe cases, roof sections need to be removed to properly address saturated materials underneath.
The key thing to understand is that ice damming damage isn’t always obvious right away. That’s why professional inspections matter after winter storms in North Texas, even if everything looks fine from the ground. Roof systems fail quietly before they fail visibly.
Ice damming doesn’t happen every year here. But when conditions line up, temperatures are below freezing for long periods of time, or we have an extreme freeze like we did in 2021, it can cause serious and expensive damage. Knowing what it is—and how professionals evaluate and repair it—puts you in a much better position the next time winter weather rolls through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Damming in North Texas
What is ice damming on a roof?
Ice damming occurs when melted snow refreezes at the roof edge, creating a barrier that traps water and forces it under shingles and into the roof structure.
Does ice damming happen often in North Texas?
It’s not common every winter, but during severe or prolonged freezes, ice damming can and does occur—especially on homes not designed for snow and ice loads.
What damage does ice damming cause to roofs and gutters?
Ice damming can rot roof decking, damage shingles and flashing, pull gutters away from the house, and lead to interior leaks and mold issues.
How do professionals repair roof damage caused by ice damming?
Repairs typically involve removing damaged shingles, replacing compromised decking or flashing, repairing gutters and fascia, and addressing any interior water damage.
If I suspect ice dam damage after a winter storm, what should I do?
Schedule a professional roof inspection as soon as possible to identify hidden damage before it worsens or leads to larger restoration costs.