Replies

1. 
   Photog_ | Jan 05, 2001 11:00pm | #1

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   It would seem that your roof is better insulated...less heat escaping. If the only change was a new roof and he made no alterations to the attic insulation, is it possible that before the new roof you both had multiple layers of roofing material, and he did a complete tear-off to the sheathing...thus removing the additional insulating factor of the multiple layers?

1. 
   Jeff_J._Buck | Jan 05, 2001 11:24pm | #2

   *Icicles are an easy way to drive thru the neighborhood in the winter and see who has not enough insulation/too much heat loss/poor ventilation. Less ice the better. If ya wanna kill him......ask to compare heating bills! Place a bet, make some money! Jeff

1. 
   Steve_G | Jan 06, 2001 02:36am | #3

   *Did the soffit vents get loaded with junk when they re-roofed? Did they cover up the ridge venting? Or if it's a continuous vent did they forget to open it back up after they papered over it?How long have you lived there? People in my area are experiencing all kinds of ice dam problems this year due to the heavy snowfall. If this is the case for you and you haven't lived there long enough to see alot of snow, you're probably seeing the result of not enough insulation in your neighbors roof.steve

1. 
   FredB | Jan 07, 2001 01:42am | #4

   *I think Steve is on the right track. I doubt the change has anything directly to do with the new roof. A couple layers more or less of shingles make very little difference in insulation. Plus, if it is a cold roof the amount of roofing should make no difference.Most likely they messed with the ventilation by plugging something up or failing to reopen vents. Or, it could just be that you are having an abnormal winter. Time to play detective if you really care and he'll let you.

1. 
   RJT_ | Jan 07, 2001 03:27am | #5

   *This winter is no comparison with last winter. The roofing is not a factor. The temperatures of this winter combined with snowfall is what makes the difference. I know this because I've spent a number of hours on my roof over the last week trying to figure this sucker out. I think this is how it works: The insulating effect of a heavy snow in a rising outdoor temperature causes the heat sink effect of the heated interior of the house to rapidly penetrate the roof in a house that is improperly insulated and vented. The melt freezes into the snow layer and builds into ice dams and icicles before it is evident what is occurring. I do not believe that vapor barriers or interior moisture is a factor.

2. 
   Kevin_O'Donnell | Jan 07, 2001 03:27am | #6

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   Hi. My neighbor and I have identical homes, and on the south side he has large icicles the full length of his eavestrough, and I have next to none. He has had a new roof put on last summer ( this is the first winter for it). Prior winters the ice situation was the same.

   My roof is about 15 years old.

   Why would he have so much ice, and I have so little ?

   We are in Toronto, Canada

   ps. I am not complaining !!!