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,
