I thought I was being all responsible last month, climbing up there with my “trusty” ladder (spoiler: it wobbles like a shopping cart with a bum wheel) and poking around the roof. Found a couple of shingles that looked like they’d rather be anywhere else, so I slapped down some of that black goop from the hardware store. Honestly, I felt like a real-life handyman for about 10 minutes... till I realized I’d tracked tar across the driveway.
I get what you’re saying about DIY patches sometimes outlasting expectations. My neighbor swears by duct tape for everything, but I’m not that brave. My patch is holding up so far, but we’ll see how it does after the next freeze-thaw. The ice dams are what worry me—last year, I had mystery water stains on the bedroom ceiling and it took me forever to figure out where it was coming from. Turns out, water has a sixth sense for finding the most inconvenient path possible.
I do wonder if I’m just delaying the inevitable, though. The roof’s only about 12 years old (asphalt shingles), but our winters here in upstate NY are rough. Is it worth calling in a pro for a “just in case” inspection, or am I overthinking it? Part of me wants to keep patching until the whole thing gives up at once, but then again, I’ve seen what happens when someone waits too long—my cousin’s kitchen ceiling turned into a waterfall last winter and Thanksgiving dinner got... interesting.
Anyone ever tried those roof rakes for snow? Do they actually help with ice dams or just make you feel like you’re doing something useful?
That black goop (probably roof cement) is a decent short-term fix, but it’s really just a band-aid—especially in upstate NY where freeze-thaw cycles are brutal. At 12 years, your shingles should have some life left, but those ice dams are a warning sign. Water stains inside mean moisture’s already sneaking past the defenses. I’d say a pro inspection is worth it, just to catch small stuff before it turns into a waterfall situation like your cousin’s. As for roof rakes, they do help if you use them right after a snowfall, but they’re not a magic bullet—if your attic’s not vented or insulated well, ice dams will keep coming back no matter how much snow you pull down.
- I get the point about roof rakes not being a cure-all, but honestly, they’ve made a big difference for us.
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“if your attic’s not vented or insulated well, ice dams will keep coming back no matter how much snow you pull down.”
- Maybe I just got lucky, but after I started using the rake right after storms, we stopped seeing those big icicles and the water stains slowed down.
- Our attic insulation isn’t perfect (old house, weird layout), but the rake still helped.
- Not saying it’s a replacement for fixing insulation or ventilation, but if you’re not ready for a big project, it’s better than nothing.
- Also, pro inspections are great, but sometimes you just can’t swing it right away—especially after buying a place and getting hit with all those “surprise” costs.
- For now, I’m just keeping an eye out for new stains and trying to stay on top of snow removal.
- Anyone else feel like you’re always learning something new with this homeownership thing?
“if your attic’s not vented or insulated well, ice dams will keep coming back no matter how much snow you pull down.”
Honestly, that’s spot on. I’ve seen folks rake religiously and still get leaks, just because their attic’s a sauna. But I’ll say this—using the rake right after storms does help buy time, especially with older houses where insulation is a patchwork job. Not a magic fix, but it can keep things manageable until you’re ready for the bigger upgrades. And yeah, homeownership is basically just a series of “wait, what now?” moments...
I hear you on the patchwork insulation—my place is a 1950s ranch with who-knows-what stuffed up there. I tried adding cellulose last year, but still got some icicles. Anyone ever try those ridge vent retrofits? Curious if they actually help or just look good on paper...