Gutters, Ice Dams, Insulation, Ventilation

While ice dams can’t be 100% preventable, they can definitely be mitigated and minimized. For every 1000 feet of elevation gain the temperature drops by 3.5 degrees which means the structure is at greater risk for ice dams.

Ice dams will form over any open area on the roof such as pipes and vents because of temperature fluctuations. The valley areas of dormers will frequently form ice dams and it’s important to remember to contact your roofing contractor immediately to resolve these issues.

Hammers and chisels should never be used because they can cause more damage to the roof. Also the north and east slopes of a structure will be at greater risk for ice dams. 95% of all of Colorado is Class 1 snow accumulation.

Snow Raking:
Getting the snow off the roof by steaming, or rake will minimize your risk of a cave-in and or ice dams. Long arm roof rakes can be used with caution as roof rakes can cause slides of ice and snow that can harm anyone standing below.

Salt Products on Roof:
Never put any salt products on your roof. Salt will corrode and degrade the material on your roof, plus it will harm the plants and grass when spring comes.

Roof Steaming:
A steamer takes regular cold tap water and heats it to 300 degrees. Converting cold water into steam.

The steam is forced through a delivery hose and wand where it’s focused through a thin low pressure column used to cut through ice. The most efficient way to steam ice off a roof is to cut it into chunks then throw it down from the roof.

Snow R- Value:
About 1 per inch. 6-7” of snow represents between R-5 and R-8. Just enough to slow the heat down and melt the snow. Deeper snow and cold increase the chances and likelihood and size of ice dams. Every inch of snow that accumulates on the roofs surface insulates the roof deck a little more, trapping more indoor heat beneath the roof deck and warming the sheathing. Each inch of snow has an R value of about 0.5-1. Proper air sealing and ceiling/attic insulation can prevent warmth from escaping and causing ice dam issues.

Temperature fluctuations between the primary use in the structure and dead air space. Insulation in dead air space is crucial for keeping the temperature variance between predominant usage space and dead space at 10 degrees of difference. Meaning your living room, kitchen and bedrooms compared to your attic should be no more than 10 degrees apart from each other.

Final Report – VOC Free, Highly Flame Resistant Hybridsil Certified Green MAS

Many structures are just plain under ventilated which also contributes to ice dams. There are multiple ventilation spaces within a building such as: Mechanical exhaust systems, including exhaust systems serving clothes dryers and cooking appliances, hazardous exhaust systems, dust, stock and refuse, soil exhaust systems, smoke control systems, energy recovery ventilation systems and countless more.

So let’s talk about the ventilation of intake openings and local exhaust of air. International Building Code requires 1 square foot per 150 square feet of attic space to 1 square feet per 300 square feet of attic depending on construction. Now remember, this is the base level of ventilation requirements which are being reformed about every 4 years.