Ice Dams - Ground Zero for Roof Leaks and Costly Problems!
By Peter Cooke

Today is ground zero for 90% of the roof leaks that will occur in the winter and spring of 2007 in the northeast. Resulting from “Valentines 2007 ice storm and blizzard.”.

One of the critical causes is that most home s lack attic ventilation. I love attic ventilation, no home can have too much of it. Whether its ridge vents, soffit or gable vents, it does your home so much good. It allows moisture to escape outside making your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. When installing new soffit covers I cut extra vents into the solid wood overhangs as a courtesy, making the system work properly. Most homeowners do not know how much venting they need. The reason I make such a big deal about it is because it s the right thing to do and it s going to make your roof last a lot longer while stopping mold from growing in your insulation. Most people couldn t care less its just the mark of a professional.

How to put some money in your pocket &amp impress your friends by showing off your expertise!

Going back to the ice storm, again I will give you some great advice that if you follow it, you can also make some money. So for example if you just had a new roof put on and it was a 5-7 part system like the one I recommend you could bet your neighbor, husband or wife that you know whose house the snow is going to melt off first. Guaranteed it s the one with the proper ventilation.

Going back to the problem

The problems start to happen not during the storm but after when the temperature rises and falls, day and night. This leads to icicles dripping off overhangs, snow and ice sitting on roofs. Ice damming is when snow melts and refreezes on a roof over areas that have overhangs such as porches, soffits and eaves leading up to gables. This is normally caused by lack of a vapor barrier on the roof or insulation that is just not doing it s job..

Symptoms of Ice Damming

Gutters or Fascias are torn from the house

Water gets into your attic and wets insulation

Water goes down your walls

Black mold forms

Paint bubbles, blisters or cracks

Bay or bow window leak or warp

Mold on ceilings

Good News for Roofers!

This is good news and bad news. As a business man I really can t complain. New roofs keep me busy in the summer and in the winter its ice dams. That s not to say that all the homes with ice damming problems are older, most are newer homes where the builder or the homeowner cut corners and didn t install the proper leak barrier, ventilation or insulation.

To prevent it is really simple.

Just keep the snow off your roof and chopping away with an ice pick. Install an ice and water shield or leak barrier on the perimeter of your roof. This is the 1st part of a recommend roofing system. It also helps to have proper ventilation and this is the 4th part to a roofing system. Install a soffit to ridge vent system.

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Peter K. Cooke - is an Author and Home Improvement Consultant on Long Island, NY. Peter writes for http://www.peterkcooke.com - expert advice on roofing, siding, windows, masonry - and subjects that make your home more appealing while increasing its value.

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