Winter among other seasons has its own advantages and its own disadvantages. However over time the disadvantages have proved to be more than the advantages. Among other disadvantages, the formation of ice dams on the roofs has been quite popular, especially in some cities like Wauwatosa, WI. We are going to look at the cause of these dams and the prevention measures that we can take. These kind of dams refers to the formation and accumulations of large amount of snow on top of the house roofs. This snow prevents the melting ice (in form of water) from falling down from the roofs. This water leads to house leakages that destroy the walls and the roofs among other damages.
They are caused by a combination of different events. There is an interaction among house heat loss, atmospheric temperatures and snow covers that causes this situation. Ice dam cannot form if there is no snow covering a roof, and simultaneously, with the upper portion of outside surface of a roof having a higher temperature and the lower part having a lesser temperature.
These temperatures ought be consistent over a long time period. The size of dam is increased by the melting water. Dam size however will be limited by the temperature which is less. The water that has already accumulated finds their way through the cracks which are found on outer roof parts, flowing all through to the attic space. Water will then move to the ceiling and thus staining the finishing the ceiling. Again, snow, , , is the major contributor to such a dam. This happens because snow is an insulator.
The dams are majorly caused by difference in roof surface temperatures. These dams are found mainly at the roof edges. This means that there is a source of heat somewhere. This heat majorly comes from the house through either chimney or otherwise. Solar heat cannot influence this temperature difference.
There are three ways in which heat is transferred to roof surface namely: convection- which is the heat transfer through solid, convection-transfer of heat via air and radiation- heat transfer via electromagnetic waves. These transfers can be evidently seen when heat is transmitted through ceiling or even when you literary put your hand over a hot pan.
Another source of heat is the exhaust system in the kitchen and the bathroom. These particular systems can terminate a roof above them and eventually the heat is going to leak. The continuous use of wood stoves also causes some heat to move up through the chimney and eventually to roofs.
The dams can be prevented by taking some precautions. The first precaution is to prevent the heat coming from the house. Before this however, it is wiser to start by removing all the snow resting on roof. This is because the problem actually starts from a roof. For the emergency situations, make some channels that will be able to drain the water way from the roof.
In case of long term prevention, one should make the house ceiling to be air tight. From there, it is advisable to increase the insulation of a roof. Immediately you identify the air leakages, it is recommendable you apply the above precautions. It is also very important to have air ventilation in order to reduce the amount of heat going up to the ceiling.
They are caused by a combination of different events. There is an interaction among house heat loss, atmospheric temperatures and snow covers that causes this situation. Ice dam cannot form if there is no snow covering a roof, and simultaneously, with the upper portion of outside surface of a roof having a higher temperature and the lower part having a lesser temperature.
These temperatures ought be consistent over a long time period. The size of dam is increased by the melting water. Dam size however will be limited by the temperature which is less. The water that has already accumulated finds their way through the cracks which are found on outer roof parts, flowing all through to the attic space. Water will then move to the ceiling and thus staining the finishing the ceiling. Again, snow, , , is the major contributor to such a dam. This happens because snow is an insulator.
The dams are majorly caused by difference in roof surface temperatures. These dams are found mainly at the roof edges. This means that there is a source of heat somewhere. This heat majorly comes from the house through either chimney or otherwise. Solar heat cannot influence this temperature difference.
There are three ways in which heat is transferred to roof surface namely: convection- which is the heat transfer through solid, convection-transfer of heat via air and radiation- heat transfer via electromagnetic waves. These transfers can be evidently seen when heat is transmitted through ceiling or even when you literary put your hand over a hot pan.
Another source of heat is the exhaust system in the kitchen and the bathroom. These particular systems can terminate a roof above them and eventually the heat is going to leak. The continuous use of wood stoves also causes some heat to move up through the chimney and eventually to roofs.
The dams can be prevented by taking some precautions. The first precaution is to prevent the heat coming from the house. Before this however, it is wiser to start by removing all the snow resting on roof. This is because the problem actually starts from a roof. For the emergency situations, make some channels that will be able to drain the water way from the roof.
In case of long term prevention, one should make the house ceiling to be air tight. From there, it is advisable to increase the insulation of a roof. Immediately you identify the air leakages, it is recommendable you apply the above precautions. It is also very important to have air ventilation in order to reduce the amount of heat going up to the ceiling.
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