Just returning from the upper peninsula of Michigan I noticed a lot of houses that had shingle roofing with a 30″ strip of galvanized sheet metal running the length of the roof along the bottom of the roof, no gutters, as a means of eliminating ice dams. I’m considering this on one 24′ length of a 4/12 pitch roof. Do I need to remove the shingles underneath?
Richard James Tolzman
Replies
Yes, That metal runs up under the rest of the shingles at least eight inches. And it doesn't just flopp out there in the wind. There is a quality piece of eave edge well nailed first. The ice metal you see is then rolled and clamped over it, like a hem edge, and pulled to the top where it is nailed. then shingles are laid on up to the top.
It's not a bad idea to have ie and water shield backing it up either.
This method is a holdover from the days when dinosaures walked the earth and they nibbled on the edges of the roofs when the asphalt pits were frozen over for the winter. It's better to deal with the reason you are having ice damns in the first place. Insulate and ventilate if you can.
Excellence is its own reward!
Edited 7/26/2002 12:45:35 AM ET by piffin