Ice dams form quietly on Northern Michigan rooflines every winter — and the damage they cause often goes unnoticed until spring.

If you head south for the season, here is what you should understand about the risk.

Most problems found in unoccupied Northern Michigan homes did not happen overnight. They grew slowly, while no one was there to notice. This post explains why regular, documented home watch visits catch issues early — before a minor concern turns into a major repair.