Dealing with ice jambs
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Phil a on Aug 01, 2016Based on where you live, I'd have to conclude that what's actually happening is the rain / sleet / snow is freezing into ice along the edge of the roof. The ice forms a dam. When the sun comes out, it warms the roof and melts the ice above the ice dam and theheat from the attic is melting the ice from below. The now thawed water backs up under the shingles and leaks down through the roofing. How to cure it? There are many quick fixes but there is really only one cure. You need to keep the heat out of your attic that is melting the ice. See this link for more info: http://home-partners.com/articles/ice-dams-quick-fixes-cure PhilHelpful Reply
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Jean Myles on Aug 01, 2016Great advice from Phil aHelpful Reply
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Laine on Aug 02, 2016Our business is in roofing. We tell people to keep about the first 3' or so cleared of snow. The same as Phil the snow is melting above and running down the roof .you can buy long handled snow roof shovels that will clean the roof easily. They look more like a wide scraper but they won't damage the shingles or steel roof ( we use them to clean our solar panels too)Helpful Reply
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Ray Phillips on Aug 02, 2016when the house was built they should have out down a rubber membrain that is 3' wide at the bottom of the roof then the shingles. I would have a roofing contractor come out and get a price to take off about 3'of shingles and add this and new shingles. Hope this helps.Helpful Reply
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The Money Pit on Aug 02, 2016Hi Leone, the condition you describe is called an "ice dam." It occurs when warm air escaping your home heats the underside of the roof above the living space. That water runs down to the roof above the exterior soffit which is colder and causes the water to re-freeze. Subsequent water that runs down hits that newly formed "ice dam" and runs back up under the shingles where it leaks into your home. Two things to know: (1) the only real solution is to remove the lower roof and install a product called "ice and water shield" which wil prevent this; and (2) this problem is generally covered by homeowners insurance! So, you may be able to get your insurance company to replace your roof. Lastly, when the roof work is done, be sure to improve your insulation and add both soffit and ridge ventilation. This will help keep the heat in your home, and properly ventilate the attic. See more resources on this problem here; http://www.moneypit.com/content/how-avoid-ice-dams and http://www.moneypit.com/product-reviews/grace-ice-water-shield-roof-underlayment-prevents-costly-leaks.Helpful Reply
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Jane Hillman on Aug 02, 2016Hi... The handyman installed leaf guards to prevent the ice dam from occurring again... sHelpful Reply
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Bridgette on Aug 02, 2016I have the same situation in a corner section of my roof where the house meets with an add on. I fill a leg of pantyhose with salt for the drive and walkway and place it a few inches from the edge of the roof. The hose will need to be refilled once the salt is gone but every pair of panty hose comes with 2 legs.Helpful Reply
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Mark Yellowthunder on Aug 02, 2016Why do yo u have leeks(onions) on your roof?Helpful Reply
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Emilious Tarr on Aug 02, 2016I suspect the issue is inadequate insulation, as Moneypit suggested. There is a nice table at https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table that will help you figure out how much insulation you need. Adding attic insulation is probabley the single best cost saver most homeowners can do, and if you are able to work in your attic, it's relatively inexpensive.Helpful Reply
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Michael Hilliker on Aug 02, 2016It would help to put more ventilation in your roof. If the underneath your shingles is cold, snow won't melt.Helpful Reply
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Dusty on Aug 02, 2016https://youtu.be/alE0jIsI_HMHelpful Reply
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FRED RIGGS on Aug 02, 2016You have an inherent problem with your roof. Your attic is not insulated properly, your eaves are not vented, and you need an ice dam under the first three feet of your shingles. The warmth of your attic is radiating to your shingles, melting the snow & ice and thus your leak. Make sure your eaves are well ventilated to the attic, and you actually should have ridge vents on your roof. That will stop it completely once your attic is cold with no heat coming from your house. You are losing heat and paying to heat the attic. That is a no no. Make sure your attic is the same temperature as it is outside and get the ice dam installed. It covers about the first 3 feet of your roof. Get a qualified roofing contractor to do this. No fly by nights! When it is warm in your attic and snowy outside, expect water melting, thus the leaks. In short, get a good roofer. They can fix your problem permanently.Helpful Reply
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Linda Lane on Aug 02, 2016Get thin aluminum strips about 8" wide and slip them under the edge of the roofing, making sure that at least 3" stick out, then bend that 3" to cover the eave opening. Or call a roofer to have flashing installed.Helpful Reply
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Leone Brooks on Aug 02, 2016Thank you I have plenty of insulation but I'll tend to your adviceHelpful Reply
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Paul on Aug 02, 2016A roofer could retro-fit ice-dam around the edges of your roof.Helpful Reply
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Wsh8772562 on Aug 02, 2016make sure your insulation is not blocking air flow from the sofit so it can draw the air in.Helpful Reply
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Sharon Binegar on Aug 02, 2016WATCH THIS OLD HOUSE THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE HOUSE THAT THEY ARE RENOVATING.Helpful Reply
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Gail on Aug 02, 2016Don't put leek seeds in your ceiling!!!LOL!!!Helpful Reply
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Sam on Aug 02, 2016Place electrical ice melt cables in a zig zag pattern on the eve portion of the roof. Plug them in when you notice the ice build up beginning. Unplug when they are not needed. They never get so warm that you can't hold them in your hand.Helpful Reply
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Cristine Meixner on Aug 02, 2016You have to make sure NO heat reaches the underside of your roof.Helpful Reply
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Judy on Aug 03, 2016Buy an Ice Rake at a hardware store in early winter. It come with a long handle and get a strong young man to do this job. Because he will have to stand on t ground and pull the snow off. Judy MezHelpful Reply
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Gro7464745 on Aug 03, 2016Old timers stuff lime into tubes made of pantyhose (you cut legs off them...mmfill with line.. Then tie off end.) Then, lay tubes in eves. It melts ice and creates a trough for water to "run off". Simple 😄Helpful Reply
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Mark Yellowthunder on Aug 03, 2016I am still very confused about the leeks in the ceiling area.Helpful Reply
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Sam on Aug 04, 2016Our construction standards require us to place ice shield (a sticky vinyl type material you get at your building construction store that comes in a 3' wide roll). This sticks to your sub-roof and prevents leaks in the roof overhang area. As your roofing nails penetrate it it seals around them. Shazam, no leaks. I have used it on the entire roof of a shallow pitched shed roof before laying asphalt shingles and not had a leak in that roof for 12 years. It works.Helpful Reply
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Jean Moore on Aug 04, 2016We did the panty hose/lime thing last year. It did help but we had a milder winter.Helpful Reply
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FRED RIGGS on Aug 05, 2016Read Sam's from Utah post and follow that. I have that on my roof in Cincinnati. No leaks ever. It is code here, period. For that reason. stop leaks.Helpful Reply
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G on Sep 12, 2016Try insulating and or ventilating your attic better. Make sure the soffit vents are clear of insulation. There should also be a ridge and or soffit vents. NO insulation between the rafters ! Assuming the attic isn't finished. If it is, you have a little problemHelpful Reply
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