Serving Thornton
Ice Dam & Roof Leak Damage Thornton, CO
Snow melts over the warm roof and refreezes at the eave. The ridge of ice holds water back until it finds its way inside. Water held behind an ice dam enters slowly and keeps entering for as long as the snow and the ridge of ice remain. Ceilings and upper wall cavities near the eaves are opened where it collected, and wet insulation in the affected bays is removed.
First question on the call: how long was it empty?
Often needed alongside
- Structural Drying
Water that ran unnoticed reaches further than it shows. Drying brings walls, floors and framing back, measured point by point.
- Vacant & Second-Home Water Damage
A leak in an occupied house is found in hours. In an empty one it runs until the next visit, and that time is the size of the loss.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Thornton mobile homes freeze before site-built houses do?
Because their water lines run beneath the floor, protected by skirting rather than insulated walls. A gap in the skirting or a failed heat tape exposes the supply line directly. Checking both in the fall, before January's cold, prevents most frozen lines.
Whose shutoff valve stops a leak between two Thornton townhomes?
The one in the unit where the water is coming from, which may belong to a neighbor who is away. That is why it helps to know the neighbors and the association contact, and to leave a key with someone when you travel. Water crosses a shared wall quickly, and the fastest stop is the nearest valve.
How do newer Thornton houses end up with frozen pipes?
Mostly through the garage. Many newer houses put the water heater or laundry hookups there, and a door left open on a January night exposes them. Keeping the garage closed and disconnecting outdoor hoses covers most of the risk. A neighbor with a key helps when you travel.
Read these beside the Thornton housing and climate notes.