They are most often caused by attics and roofs with inadequate insulation.
Maine ice dam roof requirement.
But you can t find a credible company in maine that specializes in ice dam removal and that only uses safe and effective steam to remove ice dams.
An ice dam is a thick rim of ice that originates along the edges of a roof when snow melts and then refreezes.
Someone needs to remove that ice dam on your roof before it causes roof leaks or more roof leaks.
Inadequate attic insulation causes ice dams.
The majority of ice dam issues we see are due to a lack of insulation or bad ventilation in a given area.
On roof slopes of 2 12 to 4 12 the remainder of the roof shall be two layers of 15 felt applied in shingle fashion or 1 layer of ice dam protection.
Heat tape is also useful in valleys that gather large amounts of snowfall.
During the day the roof heats up and some of the snow melts.
The minimum is typically 2 feet 24 inches or 0 60 m above the vertical projection of the inside of the exterior wall.
Two circumstances combine to make an ice dam.
You don t need snow.
Ice dams occur when snow melts on sloped roofs and then refreezes again.
Eaves flashing is required to prevent ice formation at the eaves and gutter to back up beneath the roof covering.
If a winter storm that consists mostly of sleet and freezing rain hits your community the sleet can form ice dams on your roof.
Heat tape is not a permanent solution to ice dam issues on your roof.
It must be installed the full length of all valleys.
Ice and water protector must reach above the highest expected level of ice dams which will vary by region and the slope of your roof.
Once there is a blockage at the bottom of the roof the water and wet snow keeps piling up behind it.
A new roof with ice water shield will certainly help keep water out of your house but will not necessarily cure the ice dam.
Ice dams for over time when a roof has not been cleared of snow.
Simply plug in the heat tape and snow and ice will slowly melt off your eaves.
Some people will tell you that you need a new roof to fix ice dams.
This code implies that ice and water shield eaves flashing is required for installation on all heated steep slope structures exception is unheated structures in colder climates.
Make maine your home 1237 shore road cape elizabeth me 04107 office.
The water and wet snow creeps toward the bottom of the roof where it freezes during the nighttime temperature drop.
The eaves flashing shall be installed from the end of the deck to a minimum of 24 inches up the slope.
On 4 12 or greater slopes the balance of the roof shall be one layer of 15 felt.
In colder regions a good practice is to cover the first 3 feet 36 inches or 0 91 m of roof over heated space with ice and water protector.
