Ice Dams
Ice dams often occur on sloping roofs in climates with freezing temperatures. When the temperature in your attic is above freezing, it causes snow on the roof to melt and run down the sloping roof. When the snowmelt water runs down the roof and hits the colder eaves, it refreezes. Here are several great steps to take to steer clear of ice damming .
Prevention
* Prevent warm, moist air in living spaces from penetrating into the attic with a superior air barrier and appropriate water vapor control at the base of the attic.
* produce good attic ventilation to replace warm air in the attic with cold outside air.
* maintain plenty of attic insulation to reduce the transfer of heat into the attic from the living spaces below.
* Consult a an expert roofing contractor for the best way to avoid ice dams and water damage in your home.
What not to Do
* Do not frequently remove snow from the roof. It will likely lead to shingle damage.
* Do not attempt to break away the ice of an ice dam. It might likelihood lead to shingle damage.
* Do not install mechanical equipment or water heaters in attics, especially in cold climates.
* Do not use salt or calcium chloride to melt snow on a roof. These chemicals are extremely corrosive and will shorten the life of metal gutters, downspouts and flashings. Runoff that contains high concentrations of these chemicals can damage nearby vegitation as well.
* Keeping the gutters clean of leaves will not reduce the occurrence of ice dams. However, clean gutters can keep them from overflowing and spilling rainwater next to the house. This can cause moisture problems in the house and lead to other problems in the future.
