Originally Posted by oldman (Post 196719)

My cousin recently purchased a home on Meredith bay and is concerned about having someone lined up to shovel the snow from the roof should we get a lot of snow this winter. Can anyone give a recommendation of someone in Meredith who is honest and reliable to do this?

Originally Posted by songkrai (Post 196738)

Seeking a one time after a big storm?
When that happens, many are seeking the same.

If home was constructed correctly then there should be no issues.
Just make sure homeowners policy is current and up to date.
And have insurance agent read the part that covers the roof and interior contents.

I know of no one that rakes such.
Your best bet might be to contact some of the landscape companies.
Some/many do plowing in winter. You might be able to set something up ahead of time.

Also, there are independent contractors that do property management. You could try one of those. I do not have names but I have seen the pickup trucks around the Lakes Region.

Welcome to the Winnipesaukee Forum.

Originally Posted by songkrai (Post 196738)

Your best bet might be to contact some of the landscape companies.

Originally Posted by fatlazyless (Post 196756)

Why don't you do like everyone else and go buy a long roof rake and just do the eaves by yourself ...... doing the eaves is all that needs to be done to keep from getting those ice dams .....which eventually can cause water back-up and water leaks. You can probably find a perfectly good roof rake at Goodwill-Laconia for just eight dollars....plus the exercise of roof-raking will probably do you some good!

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident (Post 196757)

Many times by raking just the eves on a house that has ice dam problems just moves the ice dam further up the roof. We live in an old house (1790) and this is the case with our house. Also a lot depends on the temp as to what happens with the roof.
I believe the original concern was for snow removal due to the weight not from ice problems.

Originally Posted by songkrai (Post 196764)

I use the Garelick aluminum roof rack on all of my roofs. Works fine if done early after snow storm. But yes, if not done correctly or done too late ice damns just appear further up with associated water issues. A roof rake is a bit difficult for a 2 story house.

The best is to use the Grace membrane after stripping all roof materials.
Or move to the more expensive metal roof.

But I think the original question is hiring someone to shovel the entire roof after a big snow storm.

Originally Posted by songkrai (Post 196764)

The best is to use the Grace membrane after stripping all roof materials.

Originally Posted by DickR (Post 196791)

Doing that isn't necessarily best. It places a vapor barrier above the roof deck, preventing drying in that direction. Drying won't be a problem if the underside of the deck is vented, as with an unconditioned attic space or a cathedral ceiling with insulation up against insulation baffles that provide vent space. If the structure underneath is an insulated, unvented cathedral ceiling, there is no way for any incidental moisture that gets into the roof deck to dry out. However, code does call for a membrane to be applied over the bottom edges, up to a point two feet past where the wall is underneath.

Originally Posted by songkrai (Post 196795)

Thanks for the link.

Venting, of course, is a crucial key to a good roof.

Some/many just don't understand how to construct a new house with proper venting.

I see many new homes now with ice/water shield (Grace) over the entire roof.

Also, some now spray a thin layer of foam on the inside of all roofs. And I don't see any venting or little venting.

Those that read my Munchkin story - the same home - built by one of the better known builders in the Lakes Region - that home had the roof leak the 2nd year. Insurance claim $8,000 for inside home. The entire roof was ultimately removed and redone. Paid for by the homeowner. House was only 3 years old.

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident (Post 196802)

Hmmm, I've also known a few contractors that have built homes the way the homeowner wanted against the contractors advice.
Yes there are a lot of so,so builders but there are a lot of homeowners who think they know best and advise the builder on how they want things done. Remember there are 2 sides to every story.

Originally Posted by songkrai (Post 196821)

Home was built on lake by by well known lake home builder. No before buyer. No resident owner. Before house was completed. House was sold after completion.

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident (Post 196822)

.... There was a problem with the house holding water during the plaster curing time and dehumidifiers were brought in to solve this.....
....I would think that having the most insulation possible on the roof is the best option.

Originally Posted by DickR (Post 196842)

In both concrete and plaster curing, part of the water is tied up by chemical reaction and becomes part of the solid result. The excess water must be removed by evaporation. Ultimately, that water should be removed from the air by mechanical dehumidification or by ventilation. One should not expect or want all that moisture to go out through the walls.

Nearly all cases of ice damming at the edges of roofs are due to warmth getting to the roof surface. Much of the time this is due to heat carried by air leakage from conditioned space into the attic (vented attic) or the roof cavity in the case of a cathedral ceiling. Can lights in the upper floor ceiling are notable heat leaks, even those rated "air tight" (AT), and from a building science point of view are generally a bad idea in those locations. But any air leak that carries heat from conditioned space to the roof deck contributes to conditions that lead to ice damming.

More and more attention is being given to building science issues, and some builders have learned how to get it right, but sadly some still just build the way they've always done it. Insistent homeowners who prefer form over function also are part of the problem.

Originally Posted by DickR (Post 196842)

Insistent homeowners who prefer form over function also are part of the problem.

Originally Posted by oldman (Post 196870)

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I told my cousin about this thread and he has checked it out. He will make arrangements for shoveling when and if necessary. He has your info Belmont Resident. I have to think that the house will be ok since it survived this far. thanks again

Originally Posted by songkrai (Post 196885)

Well, I guess all have covered everything but the kitchen sink.

Originally Posted by DickR (Post 196842)

In both concrete and plaster curing, part of the water is tied up by chemical reaction and becomes part of the solid result. The excess water must be removed by evaporation. Ultimately, that water should be removed from the air by mechanical dehumidification or by ventilation. One should not expect or want all that moisture to go out through the walls.

Nearly all cases of ice damming at the edges of roofs are due to warmth getting to the roof surface. Much of the time this is due to heat carried by air leakage from conditioned space into the attic (vented attic) or the roof cavity in the case of a cathedral ceiling. Can lights in the upper floor ceiling are notable heat leaks, even those rated "air tight" (AT), and from a building science point of view are generally a bad idea in those locations. But any air leak that carries heat from conditioned space to the roof deck contributes to conditions that lead to ice damming.

More and more attention is being given to building science issues, and some builders have learned how to get it right, but sadly some still just build the way they've always done it. Insistent homeowners who prefer form over function also are part of the problem.

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident (Post 196802)

Hmmm, I've also known a few contractors that have built homes the way the homeowner wanted against the contractors advice.
Yes there are a lot of so,so builders but there are a lot of homeowners who think they know best and advise the builder on how they want things done. Remember there are 2 sides to every story.