Dealing with ice jambs

Question

How can I stop the ice from curling under my eaves and causing leeks in my ceiling?

Phil a · Answer

Based 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 Phil

Jean Myles · Answer

Great advice from Phil a

Laine · Answer

Our 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)

Ray Phillips · Answer

when 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.

The Money Pit · Answer

Hi 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.

Jane Hillman · Answer

Hi... The handyman installed leaf guards to prevent the ice dam from occurring again... s

Bridgette · Answer

I 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.

Mark Yellowthunder · Answer

Why do yo u have leeks(onions) on your roof?

Emilious Tarr · Answer

I 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.

Michael Hilliker · Answer

It would help to put more ventilation in your roof.  If the underneath your shingles is cold, snow won't melt.

Dusty · Answer

https://youtu.be/alE0jIsI_HM

FRED RIGGS · Answer

You 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.

Linda Lane · Answer

Get 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.

Leone Brooks · Answer

Thank you I have plenty of insulation but I'll tend to your advice

Paul · Answer

A roofer could retro-fit ice-dam around the edges of your roof.

Wsh8772562 · Answer

make sure your insulation is not blocking air flow from the sofit so it can draw the air in.

Sharon Binegar · Answer

WATCH THIS OLD HOUSE THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE HOUSE THAT THEY ARE RENOVATING.

Gail · Answer

Don't put leek seeds in your ceiling!!!LOL!!!

Sam · Answer

Place 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.

Cristine Meixner · Answer

You have to make sure NO heat reaches the underside of your roof.

Judy · Answer

Buy 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 Mez

Gro7464745 · Answer

Old 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 😄

Mark Yellowthunder · Answer

I am still very confused about the leeks in the ceiling area.

Sam · Answer

Our 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.

Jean Moore · Answer

We did the panty hose/lime thing last year.  It did help but we had a milder winter.

FRED RIGGS · Answer

Read 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.

G · Answer

Try 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 problem

Dealing with ice jambs

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Dealing with ice jambs

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