Ice dams are more likely to occur on roofing systems with low slopes as ventilation is often a issue.
Ice dam on low slope roof.
That s what we found at the home shown at left.
A 4 12 roof slope means the roof rises 4 feet for every 12 feet of horizontal roof span.
The lower slope also allows any ice dam that does develop to climb higher up the roof.
Most likely the first notice you will see of a snow or ice related roof leak will be water dripping from a ceiling or a puddle on the floor.
Preventing ice dams on roofs.
For low slope roofs in cold climates where ice dams and ice dam leaks are likely bliss recommends a double layer of no.
Ice dams are a sign of heat loss in the attic and this lost heat is money you throw out the window.
Damage to the interior walls.
Rise of the roof to the horizontal run and is expressed as a fraction.
If necessary use a long handled garden rake or hoe to push it into position.
Ice dams prevention ventilation of low slope roofs.
If you wish to get rid of ice dams on your roof you must adhere to the following.
15 underlayment as shown.
Lay the hose onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter.
How should ice and water protector be installed on a roof.
Ice dams can cause very serious and expensive to fix problems and are usually caused by improper ventilation of your attic space and inadequate insulation of your roof.
Water leaks in the attic.
In areas where the risk of either ice dams or wind driven rain is severe it is sometimes recommended or mandatory to install ice and water protector over the entire roof regardless of pitch.
Each winter i have to deal with ice damming along 2 sides of the roof no where else.
With slopes from 2 12 to 4 12 use a double layer of no.
Roof slopes between 2 12 and 4 12 can use shingles but require roof application techniques to take into account a greater potential for ice dam water backup.
When the snow melts and becomes water it can reach the soffit and refreeze causing ice dams on your roof resulting in the following roofing problems.
These photos and comments describe the diagnosis and cure of roof ice dam leakage occurring on a low slope epdm covered roof in a new york home.
Curved or cracked shingles.
While there may be a small risk proper ventilation is vital in the prevention of ice dams and the protection of your roofing system.
15 felt underlayment as shown in figure 2 3above.
Remove snow from the roof when you notice snow building up on your roof it is advised.
Ice dams and icicles form when the snow melts runs down your roof and refreezes near the edge.
This only occurs when part of your roof warms to above 32 degrees f warm enough to melt the snow while the roof edge remains below freezing.
Fill the leg of discarded pair of panty hose with a calcium chloride ice melter.
