Ice, damn

[unixronin]

I've mentioned previously that we have significant issues with ice dams on our roof, because the roof is so poorly insulated.  This year was a record one for ice dams.

The good news is, most of the ice dams on the front edge of our roof came down late yesterday afternoon.

The bad news is, the ice half tore the gutter off the roof with it.  I think now we know why this house had no front gutter when we bought it.

Comparing the ice blocks to our 128-gallon rolling trash cart should give a good idea of how big these blocks of ice are.

As alway, click for full-size versions if desired.

Comments

[wyrdling]

how much work/effort/resources would it take to properly insulate that roof? those ice blocks are frightening...
the only problems my parents had with gutters in lake-effect-snow-land was from leaves....

[unixronin]

We have an estimate for about $30,000 to rebuild the roof with adequate insulation for this climate zone.

[https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmW9NDaWj3NQUdWw2ZvjDRK_8WfB2nGCIs]

Is that just for shingles and fiberglass; or are structural upgrades needed as well?

[unixronin]

That's stripping off the current two layers of asphalt shingles, replacing all water-damaged decking, constructing a new roof frame of probably 2x8 to 2x10 beams on top of the existing roof, insulating between the beams, putting down new decking and waterproofing, then constructing an air-spaced sheet-steel cold roof on top.

[beckyzoole]

You can get telescoping-handled roof rakes for removing the snow from the edges of your roof; this is said to prevent ice dams. I think it would just make them form a little higher up, but the equipment might be worth looking into. Certainly cheaper than redoing the roof -- or replacing the gutter each year.

[cymru]

The roof needs to be replaced. It's got a R-10 value. We're going to get R-38 with a cold air gap. It should reduce our propane bill by half or MORE.

[wyrdling]

yeah, that sounds about right. but yikes!

[cymru]

The quote we have right now is for an R-60 roof. We're waiting for requotes on the R-38 instead. It should bring the price down by half or more.

[unixronin]

That really won't solve the problem. Between the height and the angle, we'd need a roof rake with a fifty-foot handle.

[ithildae]

And someone who can wield the ungainly thing.

[ithildae]

The ice dams form where the warm roof stops, usually at the start of the overhang. When you clear the snow from that area (and just a bit higher up) the water does not freeze in the snow as it melts off the roof. No ice dams.

This has been a bumper year for ice dams up here. Lots of roof damage in our area.