How the water gets in
Warm attic air melts snow on the upper roof. Water runs down to the cold eaves, refreezes as an ice dam and then backs up under the shingles. The drip shows up as a stain on the top-floor ceiling.
Older Rochester houses with thin insulation are more likely to run warm attics. The Census Bureau's ACS figures put the city's median year built around 1938, so that pattern is common.
What to check after a thaw
Look at the top-floor ceilings on the north and east sides, the attic insulation for damp or matted spots and the fascia for ice scars. Photograph anything that looks off before it dries.
When to call
If the stain grows, the drywall feels soft or the attic smells musty, a moisture check is the right next step. Drying within 24 to 48 hours is the EPA's guidance for wet building materials.
Want this looked at in your house?
Call or send a few details. We will call you back to set a time.
