Ice damming can cost thousands in domino damages. Repair ice damming as soon as you see it to prevent these costly repairs.

If you live in an area that gets dramatic temperature changes like we do in the Chicago area, then you will love this article.  I’m sure you have seen winter pictures from Norman Rockwell that show large icicles hanging from the soffits of a home covered by snow?  These icicles are also known as Ice damming and can cause very expensive damage to  the roofs structure.  

Recently, when performing a home inspection in La Grange, Illinois as I pulled up to the home I immediately realized that their were possible issues with the attic space of this home.  Attics of a home can have many issues that can be inexpressive to repair, but if not repaired can cost thousands from domino repairs.  You can see a sample of a video we shot while inspecting a home in La Grange at ~ Attic inspection.   

The home in La Grange that I was about to inspect had icicles hanging down from the eves.  Every home can have icicles hanging from the perimeter of the homes roof ,but this home had icicles that were 4′ long with ice damming around the whole roof.  Ice damming can occur from 1 of 2 issues or both can contribute to the problem.  

• Poor roof ventilation ~ Poor roofing ventilation is probably the biggest problem contributing to ice daming  on a roof that can destroy roof shingles and cause water from the roof to enter the home.   Adding more roof vents or an attic fan to an attic can help with this issue.  The installation of additional roof vents and or an attic fan can be a great start to eliminate ice damming on the roof of your home.

•  Little or no attic insulation~ I personally believe that the lack of the proper amount of insulation in an attic can cause ice damming to develop quicker.  Generally, I see that when ice damming is occurring that both attic vents need to be added and the depth of the attic insulation needs to be added to.  Attic insulation can be blown in fiberglass or rolled in fiberglass and should be a minimum of 15″ deep.  This depth of insulation will prevent the hot air of your home to seep up into the attic and cause the snow on the roof to melt and then freeze on the soffits.

  Corrections to ice damming can be very simple.

   

Ice damming occurred at the La Grange home inspection through warm air from the bedroom escaping into the attic through ceiling light fixture of the bedroom because there was no insulation in the attic.  The temperature of the attic was 58 degrees.  The attic temperature was warmer that the 18 degrees temperature on the exterior of the home.  This caused the snow to melt and go through a freeze/thaw cycle.   

Generally, I see damage to the roofing shingles when ice damming occurs.  Luckily, for my clients from the La Grange home inspection there was no damage.  We have an area that you can get an  idea of repair costs for ice damming at ~ ice damming repair costs.  So when you see those icicles hanging from your eve they might be more than just icicles.   

If you have further questions about ice damming or another problem you might be having on your property then please contact me at ~ The Home Inspector or 312-961-4228.  

Thanks for stopping by and be safe.   

Jim Kolke

Wright designed home 221 La Grange Rd. La Grange Illinois

In La Grange, Illinois there are a lot of older homes with vintage styling.  These homes have endured the test of time with their style and construction durability.  We have seen Frank Lloyd Wright inspiration while conducting a home inspection in La Grange.  

The most noteworthy Frank Lloyd Wright Home in La Grange  is the home at 221 S. La Grange Rd.  that was attributed to E. Hill Turncock, even by Wright Himself.  Further investigation found that this indeed was a Wright design by plans found in 1960 in Taliesin.  

A recent home inspection in La Grange, Illinois found similarities to the design near La Grange Road on Blackstone Ave.   This home  was built with the same attributes of a Wright design. The structure of the home was found to be not compromised by 100 years of time.  

Another home inspection in La Grange uncovered a similar story to the one on  Blackstone Ave.  This home is on Stone Ave. in La Grange.  These homes tend to have minimal issues when we inspect them. This is just another reason why home buyers seek out these style homes – their everlasting quality of construction and ageless charm.  

There are many other styles of achitecture  to be sceen in La Grange, Illinois. We see this in the multi-unit condo buildings also. La Grange strives to stay with the times without forgetting the past in their planning for housing developments.  We see this  time and time again on our home inspections in La Grange.  

Please contact us if we can assist you in your home purchase in La Grange, Illinois.  We inspect many of the vintage homes and condos in the area. 

www.pinnaclepropertyinspection.comJim Kolke