Home  Ice Dam Leaks
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Tuesday, 11 March 2008 |
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Ice Dams and Roof Leaks near Cleveland, Ohio
These are some typical examples of ice damming and the resulting roof leaks from houses located near Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
 Cleveland area ice dam
 Water leaking from soffit
Ice dams are usually caused by a couple different factors all working together at the same time.
Warm attic space and sun induced snow melt on the roof will cause water to run down the roof to the cold eaves of the house. Where the water meets the cold roof edge it freezes and builds up into an ice dam causing a pool of water. Eventually this water finds it's way under the roofing and into the house.
This picture shows the pool of water that has gathered at the bottom of a slate roof valley (the area where two roof pitches meet) just above the gutter near the interior wall of the house.
 Water pooling in valley under slate
For the first 60-70 years since this house was built, that leaking water would have ben kept out of the house by the roofing underlayment. Usually heavy, 30lb or heavier, roofing tar paper. Over time that tar paper has dried out and deteriorated to such an extent that it is now powder under the slate.
 Old tar paper under 80 yr old slate roof
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