Ice Dams On Vent Pipe Roof

This scenario is often the result of a warm attic.

Ice dams on vent pipe roof.

The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls ceilings insulation and other areas. In summer attic ventilation does just the opposite. Pictures would be helpful. Vent stack is hot warms up the roof as well as melting the snow around it on the outside part snow on the roof melts drips to the gutter freezes in the gutter gutter fills up with ice water flows over the gutter and drips down forming icicles.

One of the main safety concerns when it comes to winter weather systems is the buildup of snow and ice on roofs. The meltwater then runs down toward the colder eave overhang where it freezes. As the ice accumulates it forms a blockage that prevents the snowmelt from flowing off the roof. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow water from draining off the roof.

And only two feet of snow buildup on a roof can cause enough stress for the entire structure to collapse. Ice dams occur when melting ice build up in your roof causes water damage to your interior walls and ceilings. Effects of ice dams. Ice dams form when the snow melts on an upper warmer part of a roof.

When icicles grow large and have a long way to fall they can cause serious injury and even death. Circulating the air in the attic has a number of beneficial effects on the roof and the house in general. This only occurs when part of your roof warms to above 32 degrees f warm enough to melt the snow while the roof edge remains below freezing. Ice dams and icicles form when the snow melts runs down your roof and refreezes near the edge.

Figure 1 shows a cross section of a home with an ice dam. Ice dams are caused by a combination of snow heat loss from your house and cold outdoor temperatures. Steps to takeproper ventilation drainage and insulation are the only ways to prevent ice dams. Some attic ventilation fans are solar powered.

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow water from draining off the roof. Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls ceilings insulation and other areas. This solution allows you to equalize your roof s temperature by heating it from the outside instead of blowing in cold air from the inside as we mention next in fast fixes.