Ice Dam Removal, Prevention | 703-475-2446 | Roofer 911 appeared first on
www.Roofer911.comIt may surprise you to hear that approximately 95 percent of all roofing contractors throughout the country do not know the correct procedures for stopping and preventing ice dam problems permanently. This is one of the most common
roof repair services performed, and since so many contractors are doing it improperly, a great number of homeowners will suffer ice dam leaks repeatedly. In fact, contractors who improperly install insulation and ventilation within the home's attic space account for the majority of ice dam leaks. Sometimes homeowners have very little insulation or ventilation and don't even know it.
Ice dam leaks cause serious damage and also the potential for black mold growth if they are not caught and taken care of right away. In order to prevent ice dam leaks and keep the roof in good shape for as long as possible, it is necessary to properly apply insulation in the attic to prevent warm air from rising up from the living space below. Likewise, roofing companies should make sure the attic stays equivalent to the temperature as the outdoors during the cold winter months by installing intake vents to let in the cold air and a ridge vent to let out the warm air.
Experienced roofers know that ice dam leaks most commonly occur around the tops of windows (see picture 1). In order to prevent water damage to all levels of the home and possible roof replacement, roofing contractors must stop ice dams permanently rather than just providing a temporary solution. Simply removing the snow does nothing to solve the problem, and removing the gutter will only solve the problem temporarily until it snows again.
Necessary Roofer911 steps to permanently prevent ice dam leaks:
1. Carefully remove as much ice as possible from the inside of the gutter that is located above the water leak. There will most likely be alot of ice in the gutter and some ice along the outside wall, which is probably melting into the walls and seeping out through the vinyl siding interlocking joints. The real problem is inside the wall cavity, so there's no point removing the ice from the outside wall.
2. Install Ice and Water Shield to the roof deck along the entire length of the gutter underneath the roof shingles, approximately 32" up from the gutter, and then overlap fascia by 4" (see picture 2).
3. Staple the overlapping Ice and Water Shield to the wood fascia.
4. Secure the gutter back in place, making sure to penetrate the rafters behind the fascia and properly pitch to insure a positive water flow to the outlet.
By following these four basic steps, roofing companies can ensure they are doing the very best possible service for their customers. With this type of application by Roofer911 with Ice and Water Shield, the roofing nails will be sealed around that hold the roof shingles into place. Also very important, water can no longer travel through the sides of the gutter spikes and/or screws (see picture 3) that hold the gutter into place and into the house where it can do incredible amounts of damage. By performing this properly one time, homeowners and their contractors can prevent similar roof repairs in the future and can keep the roofing system and home in good working order. If you want to prevent ice dam leaks and serious damage to your home, requiring roof replacement or expensive basement reconstruction, it is necessary to make sure your contractor follows these basic steps when ice dam leaks occur.
Infrared Leak Detection SEES Water Damage from Ice Dam
The procedues as shown above were performed to prevent this home from having further ice dam leaks
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| Small ice dam in the gutter and valley has caused thousands of dollars worth of interior damage to ceilings, walls and floors. | This picture shows water leaking along the top of the ceiling and also inside the exterior wall cavity behind the big screen TV. | Ice dam build-up in the gutter (60 linear feet) is causing water to leak inside the exterior wall cavity and settle underneath the wood floors. | . |
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| Not only is ice on the outside of this wall but also on the inside from the ice dam above as seen in the picture to the far right. | Insulation is not covering the wall plate inside the attic along with having no wind baffle/rafter chute installed. | This infrared picture shows ice and wet insulation inside the exterior wall from ice dam build-up in the gutter above. | |
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Ice Dam Removal, Prevention | 703-475-2446 | Roofer 911 first appeared on
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