Roofing and Snow

Blowing snow off the roof

Today they started shingling the roof. First they had to shovel, sweep, and snow-blow the snow off the roof decks. Construction during winter can really offer up some obstacles that the crew wouldn't be facing if they were building another time of year or in another area of the country. (Side Note: You can also see they have many of the windows installed.)

Ice & Water shield membrane applied to eave

Before shingling, they apply a membrane along the eaves and any low-slope areas to protect against leaks due to ice damming. Ice damming can occur on roofs when heat leaks out of the house and thaws the snow/ice on the roof and then that melted ice drips down the roof, and re-freezes when it gets to the cold roof overhang. (where it is no longer over the heated space of the house) In the process of re-freezing, the water and ice can be forced up underneath the roof shingles, causing a roof leak. You see home-owners who put up a zig-zag of heat tape along their roof edges and use electricity to try and combat this problem, but of course a well designed and built roof detail should not have this problem in the first place.

The New House Next Door will be super-well insulated and, along with a great roof, that is the first step in prevention. The truss was designed to have a "raised heel" which allows for full depth of insulation to be installed at the top of the wall - a critical location for good insulating practices to prevent ice damming. And then there is the added insurance of the ice and water shield membrane applied under the roof shingles so we can be sure the ice and snow stays on the outside of the roof and water doesn't make it's way in.

Roof Shingles