Massachusetts welcomes slight warmup, but melting causes potholes and ice dams

A stretch of warmer weather is offering relief from weeks of freezing temperatures, but the thaw is also creating new concerns, from potholes and falling icicles to ice dams and roof leaks.

Potholes are beginning to pop up on roadways, prompting calls to Boston's 311 line, including a couple for one large crater outside a fire station in Jamaica Plain Wednesday.

"They did the cut, the gas company," one person said as crews assessed the damage. Repairs are underway, but the fix requires coordination with the gas company because of its location near a repaired utility line.

What causes ice dams?

The melting snow is also creating issues for homeowners, particularly those dealing with ice dams forming on roofs.

"Lot of leaking today, a lot of calls coming in, water pooling up, and the melting is good and bad at the same time right now," said DJ Warila, owner of Green Monster Roof Cleaning.

Ice dams become a problem when the heat from your home rises through the roof and melts the snow above it, but the edges of your roof aren't as warm. The water there freezes and that's the ice dam. It blocks the melted snow from running off, creating a leak.

Warila said his phone has been ringing constantly as homeowners report problems.

"When it backs it up, it finds a way into your roof and into any seam or any nail hole under the shingles, and it makes its way inside your home," he explained.

Ben Rivera called for help after water began leaking through his ceiling.

"We can't keep up. That's pretty much it. And it's just, we were hoping for the best that there was gonna pass us, but just the leaking started two days ago," Rivera said.

He said it's the first time he's had issues at his home since 2015 and left the repairs to professionals.

"I'm not going up there for sure. I've heard horror stories. I've seen people, really brave people, doing I'm not up for that. So actually, I'm glad that he's around people like him are around that they're the experts," Rivera said.

With the ice dam now cleared, Rivera said he's hoping the warmer weather continues.

"Definitely hoping that spring is a little closer for sure," he added.

Will insurance cover ice dam damage?

In New England, where heavy snow, freezing and thawing is common, many wonder if the damage from ice dams is covered by home insurance. 

"It is covered. The removal of the ice dam is not covered but the damage caused by it is," said Carlos Vargas, co-founder of Vargas & Vargas Insurance. 

Vargas said the insulation gets wet and mold and mildew are possible. He said most homeowners assume they're fully protected, but sometimes learn the hard way. 

"Your insurance policy has a deductible. So, the damage has to be above that deductible for the insurance company to step in," Vargas said.

He said the best thing to do is read your insurance policy. "Try to get that snow off the first two or three feet of roofline," Vargas said.

Reporting potholes in Boston

Boston city officials say residents should report concerns about potholes, icicles or other hazards to Boston's 311 line. 

The city says potholes are typically filled within a day of being reported.