CARTERVILLE -- Many homes in southern Illinois are still covered with snow from last week's wintry weather. That's now causing big headaches for some homeowners. Ice dams are the biggest problem from last week's storm. It's a layer of ice that builds up on the edge of the roof. That layer prevents melted water from draining off the roof.
The beauty of a cold winter day can turn into a nightmare. Snow and ice has been piling up and then slowly melting on southern Illinois roofs. It's a process that allows water to make its way inside homes and buildings.
Outdoors it makes an icicle, but indoors it makes a leak.
"One spot had a size of a nickel," said Baine. "Some spots the whole ceiling's coming in, so just depends on what they've got."
The ice dams are a formation that points to warm air escaping into the attic.
"You're losing energy," said Tim Gibson. Gibson is the Coordinator of Sustainability and Building Systems at John A. Logan College. "You're creating a severe structural problem for your house."
Gibson says there are a few reasons why a roof gets heated, one being too little attic insulation.
"You're thermal blanket that's protecting the home is letting excessive warm air up through it," said Gibson.
Air seeping from ductwork or gaps near wiring or pipes can also let in heat. Those issues may be an easier fix.
"Air sealing is something that's pretty simple to correct," said Gibson. "Tube of caulking, a little bit of foam out of foam spray gun."
Gibson warns that another issue people need to keep an eye on is snow piling up against the sides of the house.