ICE DAMS

NEXT STEP LIVING

ICE DAMS

This mini-workshop

is presented by the

Green Needham

Collaborative and

Next Step Living.

What are ice dams?

What causes ice dams?

What are the consequences of ice dams?

How are ice dams prevented?

The role of air sealing

The role of insulation

The role of ventilation

Myths about ice dams

First step…

CAN ICE DAMS BE PREVENTED?

There is no perfect solution

to prevent ice dams.

With the proper

preparation, ice dams can

be reduced, and in some

cases eliminated entirely.

http://greenhomesamerica.files.wordpress.com

WHAT ARE ICE DAMS?

Icicles hanging off of

an eave of a house

are the main indicator

of ice dams.

The larger the icicle,

the larger the ice dam.

Home in Sudbury last winter. How can they be identified?

WHAT ARE ICE DAMS?

WHAT ARE ICE DAMS?

1. Indoor heat loss

through attic, cathedral

ceilings and transitions

between walls and the

roof.

2. Melting water flows

down the roof towards the

eave.

3. An ice dam is formed.

4. Water builds up

behind the dam and

seeps into your home.

www.aquaguideinc.com

WHAT CAUSES ICE DAMS?

www.homeperformancetechnologies.com

WHAT CAUSES ICE DAMS?

icedamprevention.org

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES…

Water damage leads to…

Mold/Mildew

Indoor air quality problems

Structural damage

Electrical damage

Physical danger of falling icicles

thelivinggreensolution.com capslove.files.wor

dpress.com

elliotwhittier.com

PREVENTING ICE DAMS

www.homeperformancetechnologies.com

AIR SEALING

The Mass Save Home

Energy Services

Program rebates air

sealing.

• 100% rebated

• Thermadome

• Vapor barrier for

dirt crawl spaces

INSULATION

Rebated under the Mass Some Home

Energy Services Program

• 75% off – up to $2,000 - per year

• R-38 – 11 inches – of insulation

• Dense pack under floored attics

VENTILATION

Ventilation is

rebated as part

of the

weatherization

contract under

the Mass Save

Program.

-Vents

-Insulated bath fan

hoses

STRUCTURAL REALITY

Due to the design of certain homes, eliminating ice dams will be very difficult.

Cathedral ceilings

Cape Cod homes are more

prone to ice damming due

to convective heat loss in

transitions and sloped

ceilings.

greenhomesamerica.files.wordpress.com

MYTHS ABOUT ICE DAMS

Myth: Ice dams can be prevented by

slide sheets and electric coils.

Fact: While both of these solutions

have been said to work

anecdotally, neither actually

address the real problem.

www.buildingscience.com www.buildingscience.com

MYTHS ABOUT ICE DAMS

Myth: Ice dams are related to the

gutters.

Fact: Gutters do not necessarily cause

ice dams, although they can be severely

damaged by ice dams by extending the

frozen layer of ice beyond the eave of

the roof, putting excessive stress and weight

on the gutters.

www.icedamcompany.com

MYTHS ABOUT ICE DAMS

Myth: Raking the snow off the roof is a

great way to prevent ice dams.

Fact: Raking the snow off of your roof

can be very dangerous and cause

significant damage to the shingles. If

you don’t have ice dams, the layer of

snow that builds up on the roof is

actually a great insulator.

http://bladeworkz.com

FIRST STEP…

Visit www.greenneedham.org to learn

more about energy efficiency and no-cost

Mass Save home energy assessments.