Living with Ice Dams in Wilton, CT and What to Do About it
(credit to Ed Silva for this article and pictures)
Larger issues are caused by ice dams. These are created by the escaping heat from the homes melting the snow, which in turn drops into gutters but re-freezes before it can get carried away. This water can also turn any snow already in the gutters into ice as well. As this ice accumulates, it will start to lift the roofing shingles and back into the attic. Once it's into the attic, the damage is caused by the water damaging the sheet rock and even causing it to fall, not to mention the possibility of getting mold.
Heat escapes the living areas through the ceiling light fixtures, fans, and along the joining areas of the walls and ceilings. By conductance this heat rises through the insulation if it's installed improperly, or inadequately. Thus heat will accumulate along the underside of the roof sheathing and also warm it, which in turn warms the roofing material and the cycle continues.
If this cycle continues, the water will start to accumulate in the soffit area of the attic, which is just below the roof line.
With water in this area, the damage needs to be curtailed quickly. This can be done by chipping away at the accumulated ice, to get it out of there, or in severe circumstances, completely remove the gutters.
Article written by Ed Silva
Ed Silva RE/MAX Professionals, www.edwardsilva.com 203-206-0754
NOTE:
We are also finding other ways around this problem.
For those fortunate enough to have done this before the icing of last week, you were so smart.
There are several cures - clear that snow off of your roof if you can!
Sprinkle salt in a line stright across the ice dam to help form a line where the water can escape.
I have heard tell that a long tube - stocking perhaps? filled with driveway salt, then positioned on the roof so that it is perpendicular to the gutter - will melt a path for the water to escape to the ground. This will prevent more water from entering the house through the roof (as demonstrated in the diagram above.)
Living with Ice Dams in Wilton, CT and What to Do About it
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