Preventing Ice Damming
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- čas přidán 12. 02. 2015
- www.drenergysaver.com | 1-866-607-0191
In Episode 72 of the “On the Job” video series, Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Dr. Energy Saver, speaks about a problem that is common during cold winters: ice damming on the roof. While ice dams don’t happen very often, when icicles do appear on the edge of the roof, the consequences can be disastrous.
Ice dams occur after snow storms when heated roof shingles cause the snow to melt and the outside temperatures are cold enough to freeze dripping water at the edge of the roof, forming an ice barrier.
When that happens, the water from the melting snow gets trapped behind the icy wall and usually finds its way into the house, through the gaps between the shingles. The water not only can damage the roof itself, but it can also leak into the attic and into wall cavities, causing extensive damage to the home.
What causes ice damming and what are the ways to prevent it? Larry explains that, while not all ice damming can be prevented, in many instances, the ice dams are a tell-tale sign of a poorly insulated and air sealed home - especially in the attic area. It means that heated air is escaping from your living space into the attic and heating the roof.
Most attics in U.S. homes are unconditioned, meaning, the attic is not part of the heated, conditioned living space. The air that you pay to heat should not be escaping to the attic. By properly air sealing all the gaps that allow air to leak out, and by bringing attic insulation R-Value up to 60, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy for homes in the cold regions of the U.S, you will keep the heat where it belongs: inside your living space. The temperatures in the attic will be similar to the outside temperatures and the shingles are less likely to be heated and cause snow melt.
While making your home more comfortable and energy efficient, in many cases, this will also help alleviate ice damming problems and protect your property from damages caused by ice dams.
Please note that ice damming can occur due to other circumstances such as sun heat on the shingles. Monitoring your roof after snow storms, removing some of the snow from the roof, and other preventive measures might still be necessary even if your attic is properly air sealed and insulated. - Jak na to + styl
Good information. I'm glad that you also mentioned that even an energy-efficient house can sometimes have ice dams.
This channel is a hidden gem
Very informative video, great presentation! Thank you.
Nice video Greg !
Great video. Even though I have a gambrel roof and it's almost impossible to fix the 2x4 exterior walls to prevent the ice damming. I have notice a decrease in ice damming since Dr. Energy saver came in and did what they do the best. I have notice a huge improvement in my energy bills and my home is more comfortable as well! As an electrical contractor I always advise against folks looking to install ice melt wiring. As this video states you are paying more to get rid of a problem instead of adding money into your pockets.
CT Electrical Services
I am sure that in some climates and depending on home construction the only way to prevent that is with Electric heat tape on the bottom part of the roof cool videos I learned a lot as a HVACR technician I get many questions
At 8:54 you say that ice damming can occur even on a perfectly insulated and sealed attic if one of three things outside of your control happen, but then right after that segment at 9:49 you say that if you have icicles and ice dams your home is not energy efficient and it means that you are paying to heat the roof. Then you say you can fix it by installing better insulation and air sealing, but then right before that you make a statement that even if Dr. Energy Saver works on your house you might still have ice damming and water issues. Kinda going around in circles there.
we have water damage d/t ice dams. dry wall with fresh water stains and leaking through fire alarms and heating/cooling vents. Do I need a an assessment of the inner walls and attic first for mold etc before we install insulation?
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I’ve installed a radiant barrier between the INsulation and the interior of my attic so my roof stays nice and Cold,, however there is another solution-. Remove the snow using an extending shovel contraption,, they list for between 40-150 dollars and work just fine.
from the gutters.... how far going up toward the peek of roof do I need to clean off? 2 to 3 feet should work don't you think?
@@LordJesusChrist1968 It depends on your house and how much snow you’ve gotten,,, If the house is newer depending on the construction materials used it may not bear the weight as well as some older homes-- I remove as much snow as I can if it’s snowed heavily,, but yes to avoid just ice dams removing just a few yards should work.
@@ambroulard thanks
What about using deicer bricks..???
Puleeeease extend your services to Canada! Wait. I think I just came up with a career for myself :) It is amazing how few companies there are that deal with such a common occurrence.
And don't forget to add that if all that snow and ice pack lets loose and person or thing is under it it's bad news. People have been skewered by falling icicles (got whacked on the head by a small one and a bunch of snow go down my back) My Dad was a carpenter contractor in Southeastern Wisconsin. We got occasional ice damning around doors and in front of the large windows despite them thermopane. The most problem was when it sleeted. My Dad would cause an intentional snow slide when the snow was very wet and heavy so it didn't start on it's own (which happened). He built steep roofs because of the 'Lake effect' snow which was very wet and heavy. It was very common for this snow to collapse roofs.
The 'blow in' insulation during the 60's 70's apparently wasn't safe and caused damage to the metal it was touching (if I remember correctly what Dad said). Apparently that problem has been corrected. Certainly easier to put in. My Dad hated putting in insulation. He was allergic/hypersensitive to something in it and his skin would look burned anywhere it got, even under his clothing, gloves, and around his face. It doesn't hit me as bad, but then I don't work with it very often.
Of course the horrible recalled plumbing was from the 70's too.
Great video that is full of information but ultimately design to sell you on their product. I have had ice dams in the past and with a couple simple corrections, they have never returned. On your roof you need ventilation at the top for the hot air to escape but you also need soffit vents to allow fresh air into the attic. Without both of these, you are creating the perfect storm for ice dams. What will completely eliminate ice dams is clean your roof. If you get 3 or more inches of snow, you rake off 2-3 feet from the edge and it will virtually eliminate ice dams from forming. One thing to be aware of in your video... You show a guy blasting in all this soft insulation and in your own words, filling every crack. If you cover the area where the soffits are, you have blocked the fresh air from getting into your attic and have basically caused another issue..
tldr: insulate your ceiling better
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Came here on a link saying that it would be explained how stopping any air circulation up the underside of the roof would be desirable in both winter and summer but there is no explanation in this video so is Dr Energy Saver just stupid or a con man?
Skip to 4:20 "Ice damming can not be fully prevented" #clickbait
are you going to mention Global Warming caused by these houses