pghmyn Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 I am looking for some help on my roof situation, or more so an answer. I have a typical shingled roof, jet black in color. It snowed yesterday, quite a bit. The snow is melting off my roof, and is actually steaming. I know my house is not properly insulated, but I'm hoping that is not the cause of the snow melting. Rather, I'm hoping that it is the extremely bright sun beating down on the black shingles. I'd rather the snow not melt like this at all, but I'd more prefer my heat to stay IN the house. I have been in my attic space along the eave section of my roof. I actually had to spend quite a bit of time in there while working on the house. It was cold enough in there that I could see my breath, so I didn't think that too much heat was being lost to this area of the attic. But, this is where most of the snow is melting first. My question being, is steam coming off the roof something to really be concerned about, or am I overreacting to something that is commonly caused from a bright sunny day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Yes, and no. If the black shingle is collecting solar energy, then snow melt will happen evenly wherever the sun hits. Steaming is transpiration, where snow flashes straight to steam, even while not at its boiling point. The steam itself is no big deal. What causes problems is if the insulation is poor enough to cause the snow to melt above the heated space but not the eaves. Then you will get ice dams. Check for ice damming at the eave and that will tell you how concerned to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 I am looking for some help on my roof situation, or more so an answer. I have a typical shingled roof, jet black in color. It snowed yesterday, quite a bit. The snow is melting off my roof, and is actually steaming. I know my house is not properly insulated, but I'm hoping that is not the cause of the snow melting. Rather, I'm hoping that it is the extremely bright sun beating down on the black shingles. I'd rather the snow not melt like this at all, but I'd more prefer my heat to stay IN the house. I have been in my attic space along the eave section of my roof. I actually had to spend quite a bit of time in there while working on the house. It was cold enough in there that I could see my breath, so I didn't think that too much heat was being lost to this area of the attic. But, this is where most of the snow is melting first. My question being, is steam coming off the roof something to really be concerned about, or am I overreacting to something that is commonly caused from a bright sunny day? Look at the other homes around you, are they steaming? Is snow still on the roof's If they have snow, you are underinsulated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 I checked mine and I must have the same problem. Seriously though, I have a dark roof and in the summer, just as a rain shower starts, I've seen steam coming from mine. I believe it's due to the dark roof like Shaffer said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 I checked mine and I must have the same problem. Seriously though, I have a dark roof and in the summer, just as a rain shower starts, I've seen steam coming from mine. I believe it's due to the dark roof like Shaffer said. But you live where summer is 11 months long, with 1 month fall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Just put a thermometer in your attic close to the underside of the roof about halfway to the peak. Compare that to the outdoor temperature and you will get an idea how much heat from your house is getting into the attic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Speaking of snow, when you guys use the snow blower, where does the snow go? It looks like on tv that you're blowing it into the neighbors yard? Don't they get ticked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzdadoc Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Lived in my house for 15 years and we built it. The steam affect is normal from the heat absorbing shingles. Our black asphalt driveway does the same. Coop you blow the snow out of your driveway but not past your own lot line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Doc, tell the wind that. I got a face full from twenty feet away while I was shoveling today. The heavy dropped out but the fines kept blowing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Yall have my sympathy ! After a few days the occasional snow we get ceases to be amusing...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Turner Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Speaking of snow, when you guys use the snow blower, where does the snow go? It looks like on tv that you're blowing it into the neighbors yard? Don't they get ticked? Living in northern MN and using a snowblower on a daily basis it seams, I just blow it into the street and let the plows handle it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghmyn Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Other houses in the neighborhood mostly have snow on the roofs, but from what I can tell I am the only one that has a black roof. I will have to find a thermometer and check out what the actual temperature in the attic spaces is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjeff70 Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Make sure you're getting adequate ventilation up there. It's not whether or not you have enough insulation, it's if the heat up there is being ventilated properly. If not you'll get condensate which breeds mold. Have a pro check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghmyn Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Make sure you're getting adequate ventilation up there. It's not whether or not you have enough insulation, it's if the heat up there is being ventilated properly. If not you'll get condensate which breeds mold. Have a pro check it out. The house has had improper insulation for a very long time, and there isn't mold yet. The soffets are completely covered though, and I'm going to be working to allow them the breathe. I want to eventually get a pro in here to re-insulate all my attic spaces, but that will cost me some money... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Get one of those Tyvek paper jumpsuits, a mask, gloves and do it yourself ! Your young enough aren't you? Do some reading and fix the insulation before it gets hot. You don't want to be up there in the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Back when we were first married this happened all the time. 3 kids and 10 years later and the steam has settled on its own. When I was first married it was steamy, isn't that how you got the 3 kids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzdadoc Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 The thing to worry about is ice dams and icicles. That's heat loss. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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