THE ADVICE PAGE VIII
ADDRESSING ICE DAMMING
When the snow season hits the Better Contractors Bureau
will be receiving many calls from people complaining about leaking roofs.
Most are not aware of what causes leaks in the winter and usually attribute
it to a poor new roof installation.
"Unfortunately, we have to tell people that the problem they are having is
usually not due to an improper roofing installation, but rather from
improper ventilation and insulation in their attics," says Carmen Santora,
Executive Director of the Better Contractors Bureau.
Heat loss is one of the major causes of ice back-up and snow damming. When
attics are not insulated properly and there are either not enough or no roof
vents or soffit vents, heat will heat the ceilings causing the attic to warm
up allowing the heat to travel up the roof and the combination of heat and
snow causes ice to form. Gutters eventually become clogged with ice, forcing
water farther up the roof edges. After the ice backup goes beyond the ice
and water shield (usually 3' from the roof edge) the ice starts to melt and
leaks inside the house.
Consumers experiencing ice back-up or snow damming should first hire an
experienced contractor who is insured to remove the ice or snow from the
gutters and roof edges and then have the problem addressed properly when
weather permits. He recommends having an experienced roofing contractor
install ice and water shield at least six feet up from the exterior wall
edge and in all valleys. He does not recommend just putting a new roof over
the old one, as there will be no proper way to install the ice and water
shield as recommended, as it should be directly cemented down to the roof
sheathing.
Before any new roof work is done proper insulation and venting should be
addressed, as if not ice damming will continue. For roofing contractors
experienced in ice damming prevention call the BCB at 338-3600 or go to the
BCB website at www.the-bcb.net.