Winter
Ice, Snow & New Roofs in Bethlehem, PA
Thick icicles, stains on the ceiling after a thaw? If the roof is due for replacement anyway, call and speak with an independent contractor about building the new one for winter.
Why ice builds at the eaves
An ice dam forms when heat leaking from the house melts snow on the upper roof. The water runs down to the cold overhang, freezes, and builds a ridge of ice that traps the next melt. That water backs up under the shingles and comes through the ceiling or down the inside of the wall.
The cure is mostly about the attic, not the shingles: keep warm air out of it and keep cold air moving through it. A replacement is the ideal time to fix both, because the deck is open and the ridge and soffit vents can be rebuilt.
Checklist
What a winter-ready replacement includes
- Self-sealing ice-and-water membrane along the eaves, in valleys and around chimneys
- Continuous soffit intake and ridge exhaust, with baffles so insulation doesn't block the soffits
- Air leaks into the attic sealed at lights, hatches and chimneys (often a separate trade)
- Drip edge and gutters that drain away from the fascia
- Snow guards on metal and slate above doors and walkways
Freeze, thaw, repeat
Lehigh Valley winters swing above and below freezing again and again, and every cycle refreezes meltwater at the eaves. Older houses with little attic insulation and shallow soffits suffer most.
If ice dams return every year on a roof that is near the end of its life, fold the fixes into the replacement rather than paying for de-icing and patching each spring. Ask any contractor you speak with how their quote deals with ventilation and the eaves.
Questions
Ice, Snow & New Roofs: what people ask
Will a new roof stop ice dams?
A new roof with membrane at the eaves stops most of the leaking. Stopping the ice itself means cutting heat loss into the attic and improving ventilation, which should be part of the plan.
Are heat cables a good idea?
They can keep a channel open at a problem spot, but they treat the symptom. Ventilation and air sealing deal with the cause.
Should I knock icicles off?
Hacking at ice can damage shingles and gutters and is dangerous from a ladder. If ice is a yearly problem, plan the fix into the next roof.
More services
Other roof services
- Roof ReplacementThe old roof comes off, the deck is checked and the new roof goes on, start to finish.
- New Roofs & AdditionsAdditions, new homes and enclosed porches: framed, sheathed and tied into the old roof.
- Asphalt Shingle RoofsArchitectural shingles, the right underlayment and proper ventilation for Pennsylvania winters.
- Slate RoofsOld slate at the end of its life: new slate, synthetic slate, or shingles where the rules allow.
- Metal RoofsStanding seam on houses, porches and farmhouses; snow behavior and noise explained.
- Low-Slope & Rowhome RoofsRowhome rears, porches and additions: membranes, drains and parapet flashing.
Ready to replace the roof?
Talk to a roofing contractor who works in Bethlehem
One call connects you with an independent roofing contractor serving Bethlehem, Easton, Bethlehem Township, Hellertown and Lower Saucon. Ask for an inspection and a written price for the new roof.
Replacing the roof? Talk it through with a local contractor.
Your call goes to an independent roofing contractor that takes replacement work in the Bethlehem area.
Call (855) 365-0164Calls answered Mon–Fri 8:30am–7pm, Sat 9am–4pm (Eastern)
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