What is ice dams and how does it form?

Ice Dam in Colder Months

Home Inspection in the winter months[/caption]

Ice dams are formed when Snow on the outside of the home and the heat from home melts the snow underneath the roof creating water that can infiltrate underneath the shingles infiltrating the backing of the roof and dripping inside of the attic space and on the ceiling and in between the walls resulting in a water infiltration into the home. This type of water penetration can be devastating and frustrating when you purchase a new home and you didn’t have a home inspection or, you’re still looking for a home to purchase and You want to better understand the signs that may help you understand the home prior to purchasing. Part 2 in next Blog coming soon

This image above is an example of a ice dam, and prevent an ice dams, don’t heat the roof with a heating system in the attic, keep it cold by relocating the heating system and or insulating the roof making it a hot roof. That way, the snow on the roof eventually dissipates without making large amounts of melt water. The underside of the roof deck should not get warm and then exceed freezing temps. The best way to maintain low temperatures is make sure that there is adequate insulation and airsealing gaps that let warm air pass into the attic from the house. The attic must also be ventilated, so that cold air is introduced into it and heated air escapes rapidly. Some remodeling contractors are under the impression that heat passing through the attic helps prevent ice dams, The opposite is true. Although excess heat moving from the attic through the roof rapidly melts snow, once the melt water touches the cold eaves, it quickly freezes and forms an ice dam and to prevent an ice dam, don’t heat the roof, keep it cold. That way, the snow on the roof eventually evaporates without making large amounts of melt water. The underside of the roof deck should not exceed freezing temptures. The best way to maintain low temperatures is by making sure that there is adequate insulation and air-sealing gaps that let warm air pass into the attic from the house. The attic can also be ventilated, so that cold air is introduced into it and heated air escapes rapidly. There are building contractors are under the impression that heat passing through the attic helps prevent ice dams, when just the opposite is true. Excess heat moving from the attic through the roof rapidly melts snow, once the melting water touches the cold eaves, it quickly freezes and forms an ice dam to prevent an ice dam, don’t heat the roof, keep it cold. That way, the snow on the roof eventually evaporates without making large amounts of melt water. The underside of the roof deck should not exceed freezing temps. The best way to maintain low temperatures is by ensuring that there is adequate insulation and sealing gaps that let warm air pass into the attic from the house. The attic must also be ventilated, so that cold air is introduced into it and heated air escapes rapidly. Some remodeling contractors are under the impression that heat passing through the attic helps prevent ice dams, when just the opposite is true. In spite of the fact excess heat moving from the attic through the roof rapidly melts snow, once the melt water touches the cold eaves, it quickly freezes and forms an ice dam.