Thread: Northern state residents with roofing knowledge....

Heat Panels | Roof Deicing | Madison, Sun Prairie, Deerfield, Fitchburg, WI

These are the "Panel" style heaters ..

Just tossing out ideas and solutions I looked at a few years ago when I thought I had the same issues

Thanks, Glen. This heat panel idea may be the ticket. I'm one of those "over-engineer" kind of guys sometimes. With the measures I've taken this spring and summer, still unproven, the heat panels would help ensure we wouldn't relive the experience of the bedroom closet ceiling crashing down from water accumulation and me shoveling snow off the valleys at 2:00am when it was 20+ below (not kidding). You're probably like me though, since I'm sure you get your share in ID, I wouldn't trade the harsh winters and short summers. Fishing, hunting, no bugs for over half the year, less riff raff, respectful neighbors for the most part, clean air, quiet.....the list goes on. Humidity and me don't get along. If the outside temp never got above 65, I'd be perfectly happy. I like to wear my scratchy wool! Anyway, I digress.


ChrisL

If you have to go up on the roof to shovel snow off it one of these Canadian Tire - Yardworks Roof Rake customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings might save some effort. Use mine on my two south facing valleys as an ounce of prevention sort of thing.

Bob

Bob: I actually got this type of roof rake late season last year:



It worked well. I didn't get it until the snow was over 2' thick on the roof with the bottom foot or so compressed and dense. The thing should work like a charm if I get to it after fairly fresh snowfalls.

Chris L

Yea, it is easier to work on fresh snow but just takes a bit more effort on the packed stuff.

Do you know if the roofers laid down any water proof membrane in the valleys and along the bottom edge of the roof before shingling? Common practice here and seems to help keep the water out.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, it is easier to work on fresh snow but just takes a bit more effort on the packed stuff.

Do you know if the roofers laid down any water proof membrane in the valleys and along the bottom edge of the roof before shingling? Common practice here and seems to help keep the water out.

Bob

They did, but MN code for the membrane is not adequate for extreme conditions. I don't recall exactly, but I think it's 24" of membrane in valleys leaving only 12" on each side which was not enough with the 3-6" of ice build up and all that insulating snow on top.

ChrisL

Maybe a Gable vent used only during the winter would help.

Originally Posted by ChrisL

You're probably like me though, since I'm sure you get your share in ID, I wouldn't trade the harsh winters and short summers. Fishing, hunting, no bugs for over half the year, less riff raff, respectful neighbors for the most part, clean air, quiet.....the list goes on. Humidity and me don't get along. If the outside temp never got above 65, I'd be perfectly happy. I like to wear my scratchy wool! Anyway, I digress.


ChrisL

You could say that,,, it is a lot of work though, you have to be on top of your game all the time to make sure you are ahead of the next storm..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScrHEaAZoQ8

Originally Posted by 32t

Maybe a Gable vent used only during the winter would help.

We have gable vents on the main part of the house that work well year around. Gable vents would not work on the addition portion since it's a "hot" roof. Cathedral type ceiling with no attic space above.

ChrisL

Hey, Glen. That looks like my yard and roof last winter. No moose neighbors this year for us though.

ChrisL