roof ice/snow

[JB4310]

Sounds like a lot of pretty good advice. Take your pick:

1. Improve the insulation and venting below the roof.

2. Install Ice & Water Shield, or other waterproof membrane under the shingles

3. Install electric heat tape across the eaves.

4. Continue to rake the bottom portion of your roof.

Choosing which path to take means considering cost, ease of installation, and which method will give you the highest chance of success, and therefore the best peace of mind.

My pick would be the heat tape because it's easy to install and I know that it will work. Of course, I don't follow my own advice -- I rake my roof. Good luck.

I think 1 and 2 from your list would be all anyone would need. I see electric ice melt systems ocasionaly and almost always in some state of disrepair.

With the proper insulation, ventilation and Ice and Water membrane, raking wouldn't be needed for most houses.

My house today has ice build up with 2 foot iscicles hanging from the gutter, I'm not worried about leaks because my roof is unwalkable steep and I have the ice and water under it.
I am a little worried about getting shish-ka-bobbed by a falling icicle though

My house is 75 years old, 2 storey colonial with a 2 inch overhang, so there is no way to install venting at the eaves. there is a ridge vent but that is covered with snow now.
This house has just enough insulation where I wish it was better but am not gonna do an invassive operation to install more.

Last night it was 10 degrees outside and my attic (large walk up) was 39. I was surprized by how "warm" it was, it's usualy much colder and closer to outside temp. My wife pointed out it was the snow acting as insulation, guess she was right.

JB.

 

[zukota]

It's not always venting.

This roof has no insulation, its an addition on the north side of my house. The roof you are looking at is a bit that faces south. The snow melts runs down and hits the shadow of the existing house and freezes.

Membrane isn't the answer because it is cut where the roof meets. It's currently not flashed correctly - but I'm not confident that correctly installed flashing will be 100% waterproof when the water is pushing up the roof.

I've been considering a little crook to keep the melt above the shadow line.

 

[Duffster]

Membrane isn't the answer because it is cut where the roof meets.

Not if done correctly.

 

[zukota]

Not if done correctly.

Not the material I'm using.. There is no way it's going to lay down along that show rafter and up the valley. It's called ice and water shield locally. If your thinking of something else, I'm interested to learn what it is. Or are you saying to lay it in like a flashing - I didn't think of that.

I'm not to proud to rip that section off roof off and re do it. Gotta pull some it up to fix the old fascia anyway.

 

[JB4310]

It's called ice and water shield locally. Or are you saying to lay it in like a flashing - I didn't think of that.

Not to answer for Duffster but that's pretty much standard around here. (ice and water in valleys) as underlayment, has to be covered with roofing.

You could even run it up a wall in a real problem area behind siding or flashing.

JB.

 

[Sumpter]

Replace the roof with metal. You won't have that problem anymore.

 

[wdchyd]

I have a couple of neighbors that clear away the snow for 3-4' off the roof edge....(the snow is 1 to 1 1/2' thick).....

My question, wouldn't the ice build up at the edge of the snow (3-4') up on the roof and do more damage leaking into the house above the ice/water shield..??.....it seems to me that this would be worse than just leaving it to melt natually.....or shovel the WHOLE roof......

 

[Duffster]

Not the material I'm using.. There is no way it's going to lay down along that show rafter and up the valley. It's called ice and water shield locally. If your thinking of something else, I'm interested to learn what it is. Or are you saying to lay it in like a flashing - I didn't think of that.

I'm not to proud to rip that section off roof off and re do it. Gotta pull some it up to fix the old fascia anyway.

I use "Winter Guard" but it is basically the same thing . If done correctly which is kind of tedious it can seal that valley and wall perfectly.

I won't be able to explain how to do it in less than a thousand words so I could draw you a picture if you like?

 

[Duffster]

Replace the roof with metal. You won't have that problem anymore.

Sure.