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TOPIC: Ice Buildup

icicles

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We have icicles. Big ones and growing. We have vents,and a vapor barrier and insulation and monstrous icicles. What should we do??
Guest User

1/29/2003
In certain cases, weather conditions can create this situation and there is nothing you can do to stop it unfortunately. That should, however, be a fairly rare case. Roof configuration can also lead to snow getting caught in certain places and then icing. Generally, I would suggest making sure the venting is working properly. There needs to be intake and outflow. The attic should be as near to outside temperature as you can get it. I also suggest, if you have a metal roof, contacting the manufacturer for assistance. If you ever look at using heat tape on the roof, keep in mind that you need to use the tape in the gutters and downspouts as well. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

1/30/2003
Thank you for your response. I need to know that I am doing the correct thing here. Yes we have a metal rooof, and R30 insulation, and vapor barrier, and the atttic part is indeed very cold (Although there is a part that has a semi vaulted ceiling that does not get as much cold air, but it is not the part that has the icicles). This is a weather period where there are indeed a lot of icicles around. We are just now putting drywall on the ceiling, due to be finished this weekend. Since this is my first experience with a metal roof, I am hoping that this will help and that icicles are not typical of metal roofs. I will contact the builder who recomended and installed this roof for information on care, etc. Your site suggests to me that I should have done more research before I went with his metal roof suggestion. Ellen
Guest User

1/30/2003
Hi Ellen. I can assure you that icicles are not the "norm" with metal roofing. In fact, due to its rather slippery surface and other attributes, it usually sheds snow pretty quickly. I have a hunch that, without the drywall, maybe some heat from inside has reached the roof deck at certain times and that maybe has contributed to this. Again, though, it might be due to unusual weather phenomena. All Best. Thanks for choosing metal. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

1/30/2003