Snow Melt Season: Where Mold Hides Once the Temperatures Rise

By Robert Weitz, Founder, RTK Environmental

The second half of March is predicted to be unusually warm. That means the big melt is starting. Once the snow and ice dams melt, it creates prime conditions for mold growth wherever water has accumulated.

Dampness can cause mold growth in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Mold growth can cause serious health issues. If you see ice dams melting, you need to know what to do next.

Below are the most frequently asked questions about ice dams.

What Is an Ice Dam and Why Should I Care?

Icicles hanging from the eaves may look pretty, but they are a sign of trouble.

During the day, the sun melts snow on the roof. When temperatures drop at night, that water refreezes and forms an ice dam. Ice dams prevent melting snow from draining off the roof. Since the water has nowhere to go, it works its way up under your roof shingles and it can leak into your home or office, damaging walls, ceilings, insulation, and floors.

Once water enters building materials, mold can follow. A new mold colony can be established in less than 24 hours. When inhaled, mold spores can cause chronic allergies, headaches, fatigue, skin rashes, throat and eye irritation, wheezing, and respiratory problems including asthma, especially in children.

Ice dams can cause structural damage and health problems.

How Can Ice Dams Damage My Home?

Damage does not always happen all at once.

Outside, ice dams can rip off gutters and downspouts, loosen shingles, and damage roofs.

Inside, leaking water can destroy walls, ceilings, wallboard, floors, and insulation. Once insulation gets wet, it loses its ability to insulate, which leads to heat loss.

The most concerning issue is what you cannot see. Mold infestation can develop behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings without obvious warning.

Water Is Leaking Into My Home. What Should I Do?

Act quickly. Do not panic.

You can call your insurance company, but do not wait for them to respond before you take action. Waiting even a few hours can increase water and mold damage.

Here are the first steps:

• Take pictures or video of the damage.
• Remove water immediately. Mop, wet vacuum, or pump water out of the affected area as soon as possible.
• Remove wet items and materials.
• If you are using towels to catch water, change them every few hours so mold does not start to grow.
• Dry out residual moisture in wood, concrete, and other materials using dehumidifiers or ventilation.
• Unplug electrical devices and turn off circuit breakers in wet areas, if possible.
• If a material cannot be dried within 24 hours, it should be thrown away. This includes carpeting, mattresses, pillows, upholstered furniture, and items containing paper such as wallboard.
• Put aluminum foil under the legs of furniture to avoid staining floors.
• Have your home tested for mold.

You can also pull snow from above the ice dam with a long-handled aluminum roof rake while standing safely on the ground.

Do not stand on your roof.

Avoid dangerous methods such as blowtorches, steam cleaners, heating pads, salt, boiling water, hot grease, axes, or chainsaws. You can damage your roof and seriously injure yourself.

I Do Not See Water. Does That Mean I Am Safe?

Not necessarily.

Ice dams can cause seepage in areas you cannot see, including behind walls, under floorboards, or beneath carpets. Even a small leak can create enough dampness for mold to grow.

If you suspect a problem, the safest step is to hire an independent environmental testing professional who can use a moisture meter to check for damp areas and take air samples to determine if mold is present.

If you choose to wait, check attics, basements, and less trafficked areas for musty odors or visible mold. These are signs of hidden moisture problems.

Can Damage Travel Beyond the Attic?

Yes.

Depending on how and where the ice dam forms, water can travel far from the original source. Water can move toward decks, pool near the foundation, and even enter basements.

When snow melts quickly, water can saturate the soil and seep into lower levels. Basements are cool and often have limited airflow, making them common areas for mold growth.

What Is the Most Common Mistake After Ice Dams Melt?

Cosmetic repairs without making sure the area is completely dry and tested for mold.

When the weather warms up, many homeowners patch ceilings or repaint stained areas without addressing trapped moisture. Later, they discover a full-blown mold infestation.

When there has been water damage, testing for mold is critical.

Hire an independent environmental testing professional who performs testing only and does not do remediation. A company that performs both services has a conflict of interest. Independent testing can include air monitoring, surface sampling, identifying affected areas, and measuring mold levels even when it is not visible.

How Can I Prevent Ice Dams in the Future?

Prevention focuses on insulation, ventilation, and moisture control.

• Properly insulate the attic.
• Install a tight vapor barrier to prevent moisture from moving into insulation.
• Ensure adequate ventilation at the eaves, soffits, or gable ends.
• Maintain indoor heat during winter.
• Use a snow rake to remove snow from roof edges.
• Clean gutters before cold weather begins.
• Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation.
• Monitor indoor humidity and keep it below 50 percent.

Winter may feel crisp and dry, but it is one of the easiest seasons for moisture problems to go unnoticed. Snow melts during the day and refreezes at night. Ice blocks gutters and roof edges. Moisture becomes trapped behind walls, above ceilings, and below floors.

If you notice water stains, condensation, or musty odors, do not assume it will dry out on its own.

The safest next step is independent testing by a non-biased company that performs testing only. RTK Environmental provides mold testing and indoor environmental testing for homes and businesses. Independent testing identifies moisture issues and mold growth before they cause more serious damage.

The big melt is here. Acting quickly can protect your property and your health.