Metal Roof Ice Dam

Heat tape installed at the eaves melts channels for the water to flow through.

Metal roof ice dam.

An ice dam is formed when snow that has accumulated on the roof melts and flows down the roof under the snow until it reaches the air that s below freezing temperature. When the water reaches the colder edges at the bottom of the roof it refreezes forming a wall of ice. 2 the metal roof allows for unrestrained cascading of snow and ice onto the surface below. What causes ice dams to develop.

When warm indoor air escapes through a rooftop it warms the roof sheathing. A ventilated roof will prevent ice dams ice dam myth 3. An ice belt a band of metal roofing installed at the eaves helps prevent the formation of ices dams by placing a low friction surface where ice dams are likely to form. Stop ice dams by shoveling snow off roof eave edges.

Then ice accumulates and causes a dam and snow that melts can t properly drain so it puddles behind the dam. This wall of ice is commonly referred to as an ice dam because it traps the melting water like a dam. Metal edging along roof eaves prevents ice dams and roof damage ice dam myth 4. The quality of installation is still the key and while a metal roof doesn t have the same weakness as composition shingles that can be lifted rising ice and water a metal roof that is not installed correctly can certainly leak with or without ice dams.

Even on a metal roof keeping valleys eaves and gutters clear can only be achieved by keeping the refreeze from occurring by keeping the melt liquefied and allowing it to get off the roof and then too the ground. Metal roofing can be just as susceptible to this as. The melted snow then moves down the slope of the roof toward the eaves where it freezes into ice. Ice dam myth 1 you need to heat the roof several feet up from the edge ice dam myth 2.

Improper attic ventilation should also be assessed and taken into account. 6 ice dam myths. This is fine when it is the backyard. 1 the metal roof has allowed the snow to slide into the valley where it compacts and forms an ice dam that results in leaking into the home and icicle formation.

There are products out on the market that can prevent ice dams and keep them from forming. Most ice dams are a result of building air barrier flaws. The melted snow turns into water that starts running down the roof surface underneath the snowpack.