| Disclaimer - Click here to read ICE DAMS - The most common problem in cold weather
is the presence of ice dams. Since ice dams are most often discovered in the winter when
conditions are unfavorable for roofing, most people need a quick fix until something more
permanent can be effected. The problem is, there is seldom a quick fix for ice dams. You
can try calcium chloride or rock salt to melt the ice. If you use a mechanical means to
remove it (chisels, picks, etc.), you're probably going to damage the roof. Most people
do. You might also try the use of heat tape (a.k.a. heat cable) which can often be
purchased at a hardware store. You must know, however, that fires have started because of
heat tape so be sure your smoke alarms are working and review your homeowner's insurance
policy. There are a lot of heat tape products which have never caused problems, however.
Stay away from the cheaper products. Get something thermostatically controlled and made
from heavy gage wire.
For information on ice dams and how to solve them, visit
the RoofHelp Library.
ROOFING - People often question whether or
not they can roof in cold weather. You can roof in cold, DRY weather but
the quality of the finished product can be adversely affected. Most manufacturers of all
roofing types have specific requirements about what temperatures their materials can be
installed in. For the most part, the temperature is 40 degrees or more. It is possible to
install roofs in temperatures less than 40 but extra precautions are needed. For instance,
hot roofers need to make sure they aren't mopping too far ahead of the rolls. EDPM roofers
need to make sure their adhesive isn't freezing. Composition shingle roofers have to be
real careful that they aren't damaging the shingles when nailing them. All steep slope
roofers have to be careful that they don't damage the underlayment which can become
brittle in cold weather.
CONDENSATION - Condensation is also a
major winter issue. Condensation occurs when warm, moist air hits a cold surface, i.e. air
from your house's interior hitting the bottom side of the cold roof deck. The solution is
to install a vapor retarder at the ceiling level, trapping the warm air and not allowing
it to get to the bottom of the roof deck, and/or providing adequate
ventilation. Neither are simple, quick solutions. If you have a CATHEDRAL CEILING,
then your problems are generally even more complex and expensive to fix because you may
have to replace all the existing insulation with insulation specifically designed for
cathedral ceilings, or you may have to install baffles in order to provide an air space to
allow proper venting. Either way will involve demolition of the ceiling or the roof in
order to get at the insulation. |
