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.
For an ice dam to form there must be a difference in temperatures. Being mainly found on the edges of roofs, the dams are always associated with some high heats on one point. This source of heat comes from the hose below, either through the chimney or other sources. It is important t note that solar heat alone cannot cause this temperature difference.
There are three ways in which heat is transferred to roof surface namely: convection- which is the heat transfer through solid, convection-transfer of heat via air and radiation- heat transfer via electromagnetic waves. These transfers can be evidently seen when heat is transmitted through ceiling or even when you literary put your hand over a hot 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.
However we can prevent these kind of dams by taking precautions. We can start by preventing heat to come out from the house. However even before this, first remove the snow resting on top of a roof since it is the major cause water dam. In case of emergency, make some channels to drain the water away.
One can also conduct the long term prevention. This involves making the ceiling of the house to be air tight. Increasing the insulation of roof also helps for long term purposes. This is highly recommended especially when you identify some air leakages. The ventilation in the room are also very important to reduce the amount of heat going up 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.
For an ice dam to form there must be a difference in temperatures. Being mainly found on the edges of roofs, the dams are always associated with some high heats on one point. This source of heat comes from the hose below, either through the chimney or other sources. It is important t note that solar heat alone cannot cause this temperature difference.
There are three ways in which heat is transferred to roof surface namely: convection- which is the heat transfer through solid, convection-transfer of heat via air and radiation- heat transfer via electromagnetic waves. These transfers can be evidently seen when heat is transmitted through ceiling or even when you literary put your hand over a hot 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.
However we can prevent these kind of dams by taking precautions. We can start by preventing heat to come out from the house. However even before this, first remove the snow resting on top of a roof since it is the major cause water dam. In case of emergency, make some channels to drain the water away.
One can also conduct the long term prevention. This involves making the ceiling of the house to be air tight. Increasing the insulation of roof also helps for long term purposes. This is highly recommended especially when you identify some air leakages. The ventilation in the room are also very important to reduce the amount of heat going up to the ceiling.
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