Ice dams

[cosmo20002]

I know what ice dams are and what causes them, but here's the situation. I live in KC area, so that's the weather I'm dealing with. The gutters are of course full of ice with long icicles hanging off, but yesterday I noticed in one area what I guess I would describe as "icicles" on the surface of the siding. This particular siding area sits back a couple feet from the roof overhang so about the only way this could happen is melted ice/water from the roof is somehow getting to the surface of the siding where it re-froze.

So, it's pretty obviously from an ice dam but my question--last year I had a new roof installed. High quality, 50-year warranty. My understanding is the ice dam damage is caused by water getting forced back up and under the shingles where it thens leak wherever. Should this be happening with a new roof? Is there possibly an installation problem? Or it is something else and the roof/roofers is not the issue?

[Saulbadguy]

From what i've read it is caused by poor insulation in your attic. I have the same problem at my house and this year and a couple years ago I actually have water leak in to my house.

I could be wrong, though. Usually turning the heat down fixes the problem.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

ice dams are caused by warmer air in your attic melting snow and then it refreezes over the eaves. To stop them, you need to a) stop the warm air escaping your living spaces, b) improve ventilation to maintain cold attic air

The water at your siding is caused the melted snow running back along your soffit, possibly inside the attic and down the wall.

They are a bitch. Especially when your gutters freeze solid.

One option is heat tape http://www.qcidirect.com/roof-heat-c...FSUS7Aod1GQASw

[cosmo20002]

I know they are linked to insulation/ventilation issues, but it is still nearly impossible to completely eliminate those issues.

My question is whether ice/water should be able to get up and under a correctly installed new roof.

And/Or--could the ice formations on the siding surface be caused by something other than a roof problem?

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

I know they are linked to insulation/ventilation issues, but it is still nearly impossible to completely eliminate those issues.

My question is whether ice/water should be able to get up and under a correctly installed new roof.

And/Or--could the ice formations on the siding surface be caused by something other than a roof problem?

A brand-new roof is not going to prevent an ice dam, shingles aren't meant to stop water that is pooling and can't flow down.

You have to prevent the water from forming by making sure your attic isn't warm when you have a lot of ice and snow up there.

[mr. tegu]

We have an isicle that is about 8 feet long. I think with the sun today it should hit the ground.

[alnorth]

Here's a helpful picture in case anyone out there doesn't know what an ice dam is. Ice dams are no joke, over a few years if they keep happening they can eventually cause a lot of damage.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

I could be wrong, though. Usually turning the heat down fixes the problem.

Yeah, thats pretty much what I do now. My insulation isn't the greatest, but I keep a pretty cool house so I don't really have this problem anymore. I just wear a bunch of layers and sometimes use a space heater when needed. I'm a wimp in the summertime though, I keep that AC cranked.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by alnorth

A brand-new roof is not going to prevent an ice dam, shingles aren't meant to stop water that is pooling and can't flow down.

You have to prevent the water from forming by making sure your attic isn't warm when you have a lot of ice and snow up there.

I realize a new roof wouldn't stop a dam from forming. I guess I mean should it help prevent the ice/water from doing damage. These aren't wood shingles, they are 50-year GAF Timberline and they seemed pretty impenetrable. It seemed like it should keep water from penetrating and getting underneath.

[ptlyon]

Lots of penetration going on in here...

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

I realize a new roof wouldn't stop a dam from forming. I guess I mean should it help prevent the ice/water from doing damage. These aren't wood shingles, they are 50-year GAF Timberline and they seemed pretty impenetrable. It seemed like it should keep water from penetrating and getting underneath.

When I had my roof installed in '06 I had the option of putting ice dam material on the bottom three feet of the roof. It didn't cost much and I'm glad I did it. It's basically a super sticky piece of plastic sheeting that protects the decking from seeing any water should an ice dam occur. Right now I'm glad I chose to have them do it. I think there's only been one other time that the snow/ice has been like this since I had it installed. Still, well worth it.

[TLO]

Dental dams.

That is all.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

I know they are linked to insulation/ventilation issues, but it is still nearly impossible to completely eliminate those issues.

My question is whether ice/water should be able to get up and under a correctly installed new roof.

And/Or--could the ice formations on the siding surface be caused by something other than a roof problem?

unless there is a self-adhesive ice and water shield underneath (unlikely) then yes, strong wind or ice dams can drive water under the shingles.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

an example of ice shield

[TheUte]

Simple answer is better insulation in your attic.