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Home & Garden Articles
Ice Dams - Ground Zero for Roof Leaks and Costly Problems!
Mon 19 Feb 2007 - 18:27
Ice Dams - Ground Zero for Roof Leaks and Costly Problems!
By Peter Cooke
Today is ground zero for 90% of the roof leaks that will occur in the winter and spring of 2007 in the northeast. Resulting from "Valentines 2007 ice storm and blizzard.".
One of the critical causes is that most home's lack attic ventilation. I love attic ventilation, no home can have too much of it. Whether its ridge vents, soffit or gable vents, it does your home so much good. It allows moisture to escape outside making your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. When installing new soffit covers I cut extra vents into the solid wood overhangs as a courtesy, making the system work properly. Most homeowners do not know how much venting they need. The reason I make such a big deal about it is because it's the right thing to do and it's going to make your roof last a lot longer while stopping mold from growing in your insulation. Most people couldn't care less its just the mark of a professional.
How to put some money in your pocket & impress your friends by showing off your expertise!
Going back to the ice storm, again I will give you some great advice that if you follow it, you can also make some money. So for example if you just had a new roof put on and it was a 5-7 part system like the one I recommend; you could bet your neighbor, husband or wife that you know whose house the snow is going to melt off first. Guaranteed it's the one with the proper ventilation.
Going back to the problem
The problems start to happen not during the storm but after when the temperature rises and falls, day and night. This leads to icicles dripping off overhangs, snow and ice sitting on roofs. Ice damming is when snow melts and refreezes on a roof over areas that have overhangs such as porches, soffits and eaves leading up to gables. This is normally caused by lack of a vapor barrier on the roof or insulation that is just not doing it's job..
Symptoms of Ice Damming
Gutters or Fascias are torn from the house
Water gets into your attic and wets insulation
Water goes down your walls
Black mold forms
Paint bubbles, blisters or cracks
Bay or bow window leak or warp
Mold on ceilings
Good News for Roofers!
This is good news and bad news. As a business man I really can't complain. New roofs keep me busy in the summer and in the winter its ice dams. That's not to say that all the homes with ice damming problems are older, most are newer homes where the builder or the homeowner cut corners and didn't install the proper leak barrier, ventilation or insulation.
To prevent it is really simple.
Just keep the snow off your roof and chopping away with an ice pick. Install an ice and water shield or leak barrier on the perimeter of your roof. This is the 1st part of a recommend roofing system. It also helps to have proper ventilation and this is the 4th part to a roofing system. Install a soffit to ridge vent system. Proper insulation, Take all of these precautions and your house will be winning bets ever year.
Peter K. Cooke - is an Author and Home Improvement Consultant on Long Island, NY. Peter writes for http://www.peterkcooke.com - expert advice on roofing, siding, windows, masonry - and subjects that make your home more appealing while increasing its value.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Cooke
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ice-Dams---Ground-Zero-for-Roof-Leaks-and-Costly-Problems!&id=457088
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