Many of us enjoy the ambience of the winter season. However, the snow and cold that creates that atmoshpere can have disastrous effects on your home.
Ice dams are the result of normal heat loss from your home melting the bottom layers of snow on your roof. Cold air keeps the snow frozen on top, but the snow acts as an insulator allowing the lower layers to thaw. As the resulting water reaches the eaves of the house where there is no living area- and therefore no heat below- it refreezes. This cycle can cause ice build-up large enough to trap water over living area. If this happens, water can back up under your shingles and come into the eaves or house.
Shingled roof systems use gravity to shed water. As a result, water damage from ice dam leaks is not covered under builder or shingle warranties. Therefore, protecting your home from ice dam water requires awareness and maintenance, when necessary. Maintenance options include: removing deep snow using a snow rake, breaking up ice that has formed, and/ or installing ice cables prior to the season to maintain channels for the water to drain.
The best way to minimize the potential for ice development is by upgrading the ceiling insulation systems when the home is being designed. Payne & Payne has developed insulation systems that have been proven to greatly reduce the heat loss that leads to ice damming, and therefore reduce maintenance necessary to protect your home.
As always, we are available to support our clients and friends however we can. We also have references for companies that can assist you with roof maintenance. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Warm Regards,
The Paynes
Payne & Payne
Builders, Inc.
10750 Mayfield Rd.
Chardon, Oh 44024
440-286-9758 – Phone
440-286-6632 – Fax
info@payne-payne.com
www.payne-payne.com
Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.
Potential For Trouble
Building Success 101
Q: Are there a roofing products, such as Icegaurd, that protect homes from ice dams?
A: Nearly all homes have a shingled roof. These roofing systems are fastened mechanically (with a nail or screw) under the lap of the shingle above.
Therefore, the holes around the nails or screws create an avenue for water to leak into the house if it is not able to drain off the roof.
Underlayment products such as Iceguard are designed to better seal around the nails. These products help, but don’t stop trapped water.
Flat roofing systems are designed with a continuous seal, but are not used in applications where they are visible (ie- a sloped roof).