Ice Problems On A Roof

J-Peffer

In short, replaced a roof last year. 4:12 pitch.

He wanted to do I&W gaurd the whole way, I told him the price difference and it was not really needed on a 4:12. He opted to anyway.

I'm off the job while it's dried in, my communication error, the guys did 2 rows of I&W and down the vallies. I tell the customer, we agree to credit his invoice and continue.

We use Landmarks, 30lb felt, Shingle Vent II ridge vent on the rest of the roof. 2 vallies on the roof, both cross cut as suggested in CertainTeed's shingle applicators manual (7th addition).

We also blow in insulation past R-49. We do not blow in area's that will block soffit vent.

I've done 50+ homes like this in the past few years, this is the only one that is giving me a head ache.

He calls me out this winter, and there is 6-10" ice down both the vallies and 6" ice on all the over hangs.

It causes problems and it's leaking only in the spots that I&W was applied when the ice is there.

I am really nice to the guy, i come out, break off hte ice, put up $200 in heat tape for him (free of cost to him) and inspect the job. Everything is applied right with the shingles and like stated above, I&W was applied in these area's like they are in every roof we do.

He earlier had told me the guy who built this home, it was his first time. He basicly took 2 modular homes and slaped them together like a "T". I explain to him it could be a matter of the soffit not being open, or somthing blocking the soffit on the way up. It's an issue of ventalation and not how the roof was applied.

He's was not satisfied. I offer to take up the area in question, replace the I&W gaurd and shingles, inspect and re-do. All at my cost. He just does not understand I'm taking a hit on this, I know nothing is wrong with the roof, it's the 10" ice. I really want to tell him "I'll take it up, but if I find nothing wrong, you are paying for me to replace that portion of your roof".

This is the only call back like this I've ever had, where it was not a simple fix.

wellbuilthome

Two things is there a hot air heater in the attic the snow melts fast and turns to ice The other thing is the prefab homes have space between the walls in the center of the house and heat gets pulled from the bacement and heats the roof and it makes ice . you mite need new venting .

Bill

Maybe someone exhausted fart fans into the attic? How about pot lights? They get hot. Maybe an extremely hot exhaust pipe for a furnace in the attic? Check for all kinds of things that generate heat that may be up there.

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J-Peffer

Good points guys, I'll definatly look into that. This one has just been a head ache cause the guys constantly thinks we did somthing wrong on the roof. He does not belive the ice is the damage for some reason. To be honest, I kind of want to punch him in his mouth ;]

Ed the Roofer

Ice damming is an insurable event. Tell him to contact his insurance company if it ever happens again.

One key thing though that you should have learned from this, is that it would have been cheaper to do the specs correctly before you installed the shingles, while you still had the opportunity instead of getting the home owner to change his mind about his desired specifications.

That is what is causing his doubts and concers. If it had been done to the specifications he requested, there would be no finger pointing.

Ed

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