Fix Ice Dam Roof Leak

This article illustrates the successful control of an ice dam leak on an older home.

Fix ice dam roof leak.

The soffit that meets the roof is one of the toughest areas to waterproof. Ice dams are a common sight in northern new england winters and home partners has dealt with quite a few. An ice dam is a hump of ice that forms at the edge of a roof under certain wintertime conditions. The higher surfaces of the roof s surface must be above 32 f and lower surfaces below 32 f.

A correct diagnosis of where leaks are occurring is helpful in making the right repair to stop ice dam leaks in the future. The lower roof formed ice dams that sent so much water leaking into the roof wall over a window that water was entering the home interior. An ice dam can damage both your roof and the inside of your home. Severe roof ice dam backups caused leaks into areas of this home.

An ice dam occurs when snow melts and the water freezes when it hits the colder edges of your roof. Ice accumulates along the eaves forming a dam. First get rid of any built up snow using a roof rake used for single family homes with pitched roofs or shoveling it off on flat roofs or when there s a significant amount. Snow melts on the warm roof and then freezes on the cold eaves.

Roof ice dam leak diagnosis repair. Hacking away at ice dams with a hammer chisel or shovel is bad for your roofing and dangerous for you. A dam will grow on the parts of the roof that are below freezing. Here we describe the steps in getting the water under control and stopping the ice dam leak.

What causes ice dams. This solution allows you to equalize your roof s temperature by heating it from the outside instead of blowing in cold air from the inside as we mention next in fast fixes. In the photo you can still see signs of an ice dam. There is yet another fix but it will not prevent ice dams only leaks from them.

5 steps to handling ice dam damage if you suspect an ice dam developed on your roof there are things you can do right away to minimize the damage. Ask this old house general contractor tom silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams. This article describes illustrates the steps in pinpointing the point of water entry from a roof ice dam leak. Attached with clips along the roof s edge in a zigzag pattern heated cables help prevent ice dams that lift shingles and cause leaks.

It will put gutters and downspouts at risk too. And that is a covering of an ice and water shield a rubbery membrane that prevents dammed water from getting. Emergency procedures to stop indoor water leaks from a sloped roof roof ice dam. Meltwater from the warm roof backs up behind it flows under the shingles and into the house.

This roof leaks during the snowy part of winter and during storms in the summer certainly due to poor flashing.