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Message |
    
compsy
Citizen
Username: Compsy
Post Number: 163
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 2:52 pm: | 
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This is a little bit of a follow up to "Gutter blocked with ice; need advice" but I'll post it as a new thread anyway.
During brief thaw last weekend after snow and very cold weather, I noticed some water dripping down the inside of a kitchen window, under a newly installed roof and gutter immediately above it.
I assume the cause was an "ice dam" built up above the window (it appeared that way when I went outside to look), in the gutter and "spilling above it" up onto the roof.
Three questions:
1. What are options to deal with this phenomenon?
2. Is this the likely cause of water appearing on the inside of crawl space immediately below kitchen, sort of oozing down the vertical outside wall, near where the almost frozen kitchen pipes lead up to the sink?
3. Is it the roofer's fault, the gutter installer's fault, or our fault, for living in the northeast? |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4181
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 10:18 pm: |
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The problem is that heat escapes thru your roof and snow/ice melts. As the water rolls down the roof to the area of the eve, you hit the problem. No heat is under the eve, rather cold air. This causes the water to re-freeze and build the ice dam. Now when the ice melts or the snow/ice further melt, the water puddles. If the puddle is big, and if your under roof/flashing has a pin hole the water will come in under the roofing and leak into your walls, windows and what not.
What to do. Better insulation, the next roof job make sure a good rubber membrane is installed, and that is about it.
Now, even if that fails, and given what you have today, ice wire is the answer. An electric wire plugged into 110 volt outlet, with about as much heat as a 20 watt light bulb. It is installed in a V patteren and allows the melted water to run down the wire to the gutter, without re-freezing and away. This stops cold, any water backing up and entering your home.
Pure in simple, that is the answer.
You can buy it at Home Depot when they have it in stock, and I know of a few sources that keep it in stock.
Later,
George |
Ginny Brown
Citizen
Username: Ginny_brown
Post Number: 12
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 9:29 pm: |
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I installed the heater cables this year and they worked-no ice damming for the first time in 4 years! |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 1434
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 4:41 pm: |
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Don't they use a lot of electricity? |
compsy
Citizen
Username: Compsy
Post Number: 165
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 11:39 pm: |
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Thanks, George. I figured that those wire heaters were the answer; I was just disappointed that even with our new roof (and rubber ice guard installed partway up) we had the problem. But the dam was pretty high this year....
and to THEMP, no I don't think it uses that much electricity....
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Ginny Brown
Citizen
Username: Ginny_brown
Post Number: 20
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 12:13 am: |
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Yes, they use a lot of electricity. My electrician said it is the equivalent of running a blow drying for hours/days. It is something to be used only when we have a significant storm. With the water leaks I could have lost expensive shades. It's worth it to me, but if there is a cheaper solution that is great. |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4182
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 8:55 pm: |
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You have to be kidding!! Read the wattage on the package. 60' use less than a 60 watt light bulb, and you don't plug it in all the time, just when you have ice damm building conditions. |
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