How can we stop interior damage from ice jams/
by
Janet O
+2
We have ice dams on the sides of the house where we have gutters. And at least a foot of snow on the roof. It's getting warm this weekend, everything will thaw. We already have some interior wall damage and want to prevent more
4 answers
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Using a garden hose spray warm, not hot water on the roof to melt the snow from the gutter area to help with carrying it away They make snow rakes used for roofs, but that is not the issue you have. You need to melt the ice so the melted snow will run off. Do not try to break the ice away, it is stuck to the surface of the shingles and will damage them if you try to force the ice off. The trick is to keep the water along the gutter as it begins to melt away so any water from above will run freely off. Stick to the spots that your already having leaks at and worry about those areas that are not showing signs of leaks yet. If you can get into the attic check around for those spots that may be backing up and leaking in that have not yet showed up,. If you have a attic vent fan get it running. You want to get the roof as cold as you can to slow any melting snow higher up so it does not back up behind the ice dam.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Feb 20, 2014
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Going to add some more on this topic as this is something many people suffer with after a hard late winter were having. In extreme cases of ice build up where melting the ice with warm water does not work, you may need to have a professional come in and remove the gutter itself. Years ago before the ice and water shield requirement now in place many homes suffered from back ups and the only fix was to remove the gutter system to allow water to flow off of the roof. I would suggest that you take several photos of the condition that you have and contact your insurance provider for advice on coverage of the damage. But do what you can to prevent any additional damage. Insurance providers want to see a proactive customer who is doing what they can to prevent any additional damage. Lastly you can put along the edge of the roof ice melt. Its not suggested to use all the time as the liquid that results may be bad for the plants. In the future you can take pantyhose legs and fill them with rock salt and lay them in the gutter area. As the gutter gets wet the salt will release slowly keeping things melted. Of course at this time its to late, but it can be helpful if this damming is a regular issue. Ideally you need to have the house professionally checked for heat loss by doing a home energy audit. Leaking warm air from inside the house is what causes the ice damming in the first place.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Feb 20, 2014
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I would invest in having the bottom four or five rows of shingles removed and install the ice and water shield in this summer. Good investment when you figure your costs of repairs without it. And if the contractor failed to install this required material, assuming it was installed in the past few years, I would chase them down and get them to fix it. Glad its fixed now.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Feb 21, 2014
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
Janet O
on Feb 26, 2014
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