Roof issues

[Pingel85]

Not garage related but hoping the collective will have some advice. The back of our story and a half has a 2/12 pitch roof. Originally shingled when we bought it, we had issues with ice dams. We brought someone in and had a rubber roll roof put on and added 16" blow in insulation in the attic. This took care of the ice damming.

This has caused a new issue. The snow is now forming 2" thick ice sheets which are coming off the roof and ripping the gutters off the 16" overhang on the 1st floor. I'm sure it is doing damage to the overhang as well as you can hear these chunks of ice smash throughout the house.

Aside from getting on a slippery roof after every snow and dealing with the snow, anyone have any advice how to take care of this issue?

 

[GTO]

Not a real roof expert,but I think there are roof heating wire kits that you can put up there.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I know it's not much help to say this, but in my experience, EPDM is for more or less flat roofs. IDK what you can do to prevent the snow and ice from sliding off of it. No one suggested ripping up the shingles, doing a proper roof ventilation system and a waterproof underlayment under new shingles?

Tommy

 

[Copymutt]

2nd the zig zag heat wire. It’ll up your electric bill, so get the sets with the thermostat, turn on at 32 degrees. Living in snowy Co. I finally settled on 36” overhangs and don’t use gutters. Proper grade around structure. Don’t miss the ladder work at all.

 

[Pingel85]

All the shingle manufacturers I looked into said 4/12 minimum for shingles, as well as several local roofing contractors recommending rubber roofing. And to that note, that recommendation did take care of the original issue.....

I'm not sure the issue is just due to the rubber as well, as I think part of it is caused by having proper insulation in the attic. The snow is not melting from the house heat as it was before but must be melting just enough to form ice.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Not a real roof expert,but I think there are roof heating wire kits that you can put up there.

Although the heat cable/tape manufacturers say it's OK, the roofing manufacturers I have dealt with do not recommend heat cable on EPDM. I honsestly don't see where it's a problem. Direct sunlight heats up a roof more than a heat cable ever will.

Tommy

 

[DieselNut88]

As long as there is proper venting. I think you need to buy a roof shovel and clean it regularly. Keep the roof clean so ice cannot form.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

All the shingle manufacturers I looked into said 4/12 minimum for shingles, as well as several local roofing contractors recommending rubber roofing. And to that note, that recommendation did take care of the original issue.....

I'm not sure the issue is just due to the rubber as well, as I think part of it is caused by having proper insulation in the attic. The snow is not melting from the house heat as it was before but must be melting just enough to form ice.

Sorry, Pingel. My old eyes read your post as "12/12 pitch". Damn morning blurries...

Tommy

 

[patchap]

Small parapet wall with internal drain or a scupper. Will hold the ice up there, direct the melt. Short term,not much you can do.

 

[yeldogt]

My guess is they should have used the EDPM rubber roll with the granular top -- Part of my house has a low slope roof over a large addition ....off of my kitchen.

My plan years ago was a one piece rubber roof -- the guy came out and said don't. Too slippery and there is no way to keep the snow on it .... only flat or parapet walled for the smooth rubber.

The snow just sits up there ......

I'm wondering why you are still getting ice?

What color is the roof ?

 

[jkeyser14]

My guess is they should have used the EDPM rubber roll with the granular top -- Part of my house has a low slope roof over a large addition ....off of my kitchen.

My plan years ago was a one piece rubber roof -- the guy came out and said don't. Too slippery and there is no way to keep the snow on it .... only flat or parapet walled for the smooth rubber.

The snow just sits up there ......

I'm wondering why you are still getting ice?

What color is the roof ?

Agreed that granules would probably have helped the OP. As far as why is he still getting ice, it's pretty common when daily temps swing above and below freezing. Some snow melts, then refreezes. I have the same issues with my standing seam roof.

 

[fourbyford]

...on metal roofs it is common practice to install formed metal strips (like "angle iron" but made of sheet) perpendicular to the slope of the roof and near the eaves... to prevent slides. I've also seen small "pyramid" looking devices (maybe 3" or 4" tall) installed on a zig-zag pattern across the lower edge of the roof. The purpose of both of the methods is to keep the snow and ice on the roof until it can melt. If using the continuous strips, I would think you'd want to space them off the roof deck by 1/2" or so to allow water to drain.
...D