Winter has a lot of effects, both negative and positive. However, the bad effects have over time outweighed the positive ones. The negative effects include among others, the formation of ice dams. The dams are accumulations of ice forming on the roofs, thus preventing the water which is melting from roof from draining. This undraining water has a lot of effects, including leaking into the house, causing harms on the walls, ceiling destruction among others. The city of Wauwatosa, WI has been affected by these and the causes and solutions explained below will help assist the residents.
Some continuous events cause these dams. There must be some interactions of atmospheric temperature, house heat loss and snow covers. For the ice dam to form there must exist snow covering the roof, while consequently, the upper roof surface having higher temperature. The lower part should however have a temperature of below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
This condition of temperatures must be consistent for a long period of time. The size of ice dam is directly proportional to the amount of melting water. The lower temperature is the one responsible for the limiting of the ice dam. After the water has accumulated, they start escaping through the cracks found on the outside roof. They thereafter flow through the attic space. The water then moves over to the ceiling. This will eventually stain the finishing of ceiling. The major cause of the ice dam is the snow. This is because snow is one of the greatest insulators.
Since dams are caused by different surface temperatures on the roof, it is important we look at what causes this different. Due to the fact that these dams are formed at the roof edges, it therefore means that there must be a source of heat elsewhere. The house is the one producing this heat. It is though very hard for sun heat to cause this difference in temperatures.
Three modes of heat transfer are involved: convection- which is heat transmission through solid, convection-air and lastly radiation- which is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. Simple examples of these transfers are; when the heat is transferred through a solid ceiling or even when one places an arm on the frying pan.
The next source of heat is the exhausts systems especially the ones in bathrooms and kitchen. These systems have the capacity to terminate any roof which is just above them and therefore causing a leak in heat. Chimneys also have a contribution to this heat, especially after a continuous use of wood stoves.
The dams can be prevented by taking some precautions. The first precaution is to prevent the heat coming from the house. Before this however, it is wiser to start by removing all the snow resting on roof. This is because the problem actually starts from a roof. For the emergency situations, make some channels that will be able to drain the water way from the roof.
If the situation is urgent, make some channels to drain the roof off. For long term purposes, make the ceiling air tight. Also, you can increase roof insulation. Do this especially when you identify air leakages. It is vital to consider putting ventilation. This will prevent heat from finding its way to the ceiling.
Some continuous events cause these dams. There must be some interactions of atmospheric temperature, house heat loss and snow covers. For the ice dam to form there must exist snow covering the roof, while consequently, the upper roof surface having higher temperature. The lower part should however have a temperature of below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
This condition of temperatures must be consistent for a long period of time. The size of ice dam is directly proportional to the amount of melting water. The lower temperature is the one responsible for the limiting of the ice dam. After the water has accumulated, they start escaping through the cracks found on the outside roof. They thereafter flow through the attic space. The water then moves over to the ceiling. This will eventually stain the finishing of ceiling. The major cause of the ice dam is the snow. This is because snow is one of the greatest insulators.
Since dams are caused by different surface temperatures on the roof, it is important we look at what causes this different. Due to the fact that these dams are formed at the roof edges, it therefore means that there must be a source of heat elsewhere. The house is the one producing this heat. It is though very hard for sun heat to cause this difference in temperatures.
Three modes of heat transfer are involved: convection- which is heat transmission through solid, convection-air and lastly radiation- which is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. Simple examples of these transfers are; when the heat is transferred through a solid ceiling or even when one places an arm on the frying pan.
The next source of heat is the exhausts systems especially the ones in bathrooms and kitchen. These systems have the capacity to terminate any roof which is just above them and therefore causing a leak in heat. Chimneys also have a contribution to this heat, especially after a continuous use of wood stoves.
The dams can be prevented by taking some precautions. The first precaution is to prevent the heat coming from the house. Before this however, it is wiser to start by removing all the snow resting on roof. This is because the problem actually starts from a roof. For the emergency situations, make some channels that will be able to drain the water way from the roof.
If the situation is urgent, make some channels to drain the roof off. For long term purposes, make the ceiling air tight. Also, you can increase roof insulation. Do this especially when you identify air leakages. It is vital to consider putting ventilation. This will prevent heat from finding its way to the ceiling.
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