By Kevin Stevens, Networx A lot of people have heard the
expression, "If only these walls could talk." In our homes our
walls do tend to talk, but rather than speaking with tongues,
they use sign language -- some peeling paint here; some staining
there. This type of communication is clear to an experienced
observer that something is amiss. These observations are not
limited to the inside of a home. Keeping an eye on things
outside can also prevent issues from getting out of hand. Case
in point: ice dams. What's an Ice Dam? An ice dam is not some
pet project of a cold climate beaver, but a phenomenon of heat
loss and roof top snow. In cold areas that receive snowfall, ice
dams are common on homes that are not as well insulated or
sealed as their non-ice-dam-hosting neighbors. An ice dam forms
as snow melts on a warm roof surface, then flows down to the
cooler eave and freezes. Given a level of accumulation, this
“dam” can trap even more water which can then leak under
shingles, penetrate roof sheathing and cau