Ice Dam Symptoms and Solutions on Cold Climate Roofs
2016-05-31
Loading...
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
Ice Dam Symptoms and Solutions on Cold Climate Roofs
Authors
Published Date
2016-05-31
Publisher
Type
Presentation
Report
Report
Abstract
Ice dams occur on cold climate roofs when warm zones on the roof melt snow, and cold spots simultaneously freeze the water into large ice formations, typically found on eaves. This is a result of improper air sealing and attic insulation, insufficient attic ventilation, and an assortment of design and construction flaws in new and old homes. Attic bypass in the winter relates to escaping heat from conditioned portions of the house into the attic as a result of an inadequate vapor and thermal barrier separating the two zones. Inadequate attic ventilation perpetuates ice dams by failing to cool the roof deck and venting moisture out. Non-vented warm and moist air can melt snow unevenly, and in extreme cases lead to frost in the attic. This fate causes a home durability issue, and can remain unfixed for years without proper diagnostics and solutions. This research will quantify and analyze attic bypass and air sealing effectiveness using zone pressure diagnostics and blower door testing on a South Minneapolis home. This information will be used by contractors, homeowners, and diagnosticians to understand how ice dams occur and the relation to conditioned air infiltrating the attic zone.
Description
Attic Performance of a South Minneapolis Home
Related to
Replaces
License
Series/Report Number
Funding information
This research was supported by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Suggested citation
Dries, Matthew J. (2016). Ice Dam Symptoms and Solutions on Cold Climate Roofs. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/180879.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.