"Personally, I lean more toward proper insulation and attic ventilation to prevent ice dams in the first place... saves headaches down the road."
Couldn't agree more on this point. Had a similar experience with heating cables—installed them for a client about three winters ago. They did their job initially, but the homeowner was pretty frustrated when they malfunctioned after just one harsh winter. Plus, like you said, the electricity bills weren't exactly cheap.
Regarding zinc strips, I've seen mixed outcomes too. Installed copper strips on a shaded roof last year, and while they're definitely pricier, the moss growth slowed significantly compared to zinc. Roof pitch and shade seem to be big factors here as well.
In my experience, investing in good attic ventilation and insulation upfront usually pays off better long-term. Less hassle, fewer callbacks, and homeowners appreciate not having surprise expenses down the line.
"Installed copper strips on a shaded roof last year, and while they're definitely pricier, the moss growth slowed significantly compared to zinc."
Interesting you mention copper strips—I haven't tried them myself yet, but I've heard similar things. Zinc strips were pretty hit-or-miss for me too, especially on roofs with heavy shade or lower pitches. Seems like copper might be worth the extra cost in those tricky spots.
On attic ventilation, totally agree it's key, but I've seen some older homes where proper ventilation is tough to retrofit without major headaches. Have you run into situations where improving insulation alone made a noticeable difference in ice dam prevention, even if ventilation wasn't ideal? Curious if anyone's had luck with that approach...
Copper strips definitely seem to hold up better in my experience too, especially on shaded roofs. Zinc was always a bit underwhelming for me—worked okay at first, but moss came back quicker than I'd hoped. As for insulation alone helping with ice dams, I've seen mixed results. It can reduce heat loss and slow down ice buildup, but without decent ventilation, moisture issues sometimes pop up elsewhere. Have you noticed any condensation problems when insulation was improved without addressing ventilation?
I've definitely seen condensation issues pop up when ventilation wasn't addressed alongside insulation improvements. Helped a friend redo his attic insulation a couple years back, thinking it'd solve his ice dam troubles. It did slow things down, but sure enough, moisture started building up in corners and rafters. Ended up installing some ridge vents later on, and that finally did the trick. Seems like insulation and ventilation always need to go hand in hand to get it right...
"Seems like insulation and ventilation always need to go hand in hand to get it right..."
Exactly my experience too. Had a building where we upgraded insulation thinking we'd cut down heating costs, but ended up with mold spots by late winter. It was the lack of airflow causing moisture buildup. Installed soffit vents and improved attic exhaust afterward—problem solved. Now I always make sure ventilation isn't overlooked whenever we touch insulation... lesson learned the hard way.
