The record snowfall accumulation during this winter has led to an increase in snow and ice related leaks. We anticipate more will occur as the weather warms; here’s what’s being done to respond.

What causes ice damming and related leaks?

Ice damming occurs on roofs when accumulated snow continually melts then re-freezes. In some cases, as ice dams grow, they push under the protective layer of shingles, causing water to leak into the home.

Ice Damming Response

The best short-term method to address ice damming is to remove snow and ice dams from roofs.

Long term fixes vary drastically from floorplan to floorplan, but in most cases, involve steps to reduce heat loss from attics.

Following the high number of leaks that occurred in winter of 2022-2023, Aurora Housing began working with engineering teams to evaluate causes of leaks and ice damming across multiple floorplans. Many of the recommendations were deployed on a test basis to a smaller selection of floorplans, allowing us to monitor and validate the effectiveness of the fixes during this winter season.

Recently, we began scheduling and executing widespread repairs aimed at preventing ice damming across a number of floorplans; we anticipate these efforts will ramp up in the summer to include additional floorplans (particularly those experiencing a disproportionate number of leaks).

Reporting a Leak

If you experience a leak in your home, regardless of how small, you must follow the steps below.

1 | Contact Emergency Maintenance – (907) 753-1023 | Leaks are always considered emergencies and must be called into our 24-hour maintenance line. When you call, be sure to provide details of the severity of the leak and the location.

2 | Emergency Technician Response | Our emergency technician will arrive and assess the leak. Typically, they are looking to determine the cause; not all leaks are the result of ice damming. Often times they will cut a hole in a wall or ceiling; this allows them to check for additional damage and allow air circulation, which improves drying time and significantly reduces the chance of mold growth.

3 | Water Extraction | In moderate/severe leaks, our emergency technician will dispatch a contract team to extract the water and dry out areas that are saturated. This process may take a few days, depending on the severity of the leak.

4 | Follow Up | After the initial call is responded to, our team initiates a follow up work order. If the leak is a result of ice damming, we schedule for roof shoveling. Typically, if the source of the leak is removed, the follow up will also include patching and painting the drywall. Regardless of the route taken, a member of our team will contact you to share the plan.

Leaks can be stressful, but our team is always here to help. If at any point you wish to inquire about the status of a work order or have additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office.