Not only can what goes on outside a house affect the inside, the reverse is true as well. Any warm air in an attic will drift toward the underside of the roof above, causing the snow on top to melt and drip over the edges. Every little bit of snow on the roof increases the temperature indoors, so the thicker the pile, the thicker the waterfall.

From there, the hazard all depends on the temperature outdoors; if the weather’s cold enough, the water flowing down will turn solid and hang over the edges.

Once the molten snow has gotten the chance to freeze overhead, it can minimize the indoor heat and build up rapidly, depending on how much of it is covering the walls. Let’s remember, this is solid water we’re talking here, so there’s still a considerable amount of moisture.

The ice can leak pretty fast, depending on how cold the interior has become. When that happens, it usually slides down the wall frame and into the insulation area, which can lead to horrible effects like a damp ceiling, mold, scraped paint, and a weaker roof foundation.

This kind of horrific damage can be kept to a minimum if the roof is kept clear of snow. But there’s precipitation on an annual average of 113 days—approximately 26% more days than an average winter lasts—in Kenosha, so it could potentially be an everyday job. And you’ve already got a load on your plate. A contractor can take care of the rest.