Ice damming and freeze-thaw
The single biggest threat to a Detroit roof is ice damming at the eaves. When snow melts off a warm attic, refreezes at the colder eave, and backs water up under the shingles, you get leaks in your ceiling. Detroit’s older bungalows and cape cods are especially prone to this — low-slope eaves and vintage ventilation systems weren’t designed around modern insulation levels. Two things prevent ice dams: ice and water shield extending at least 24 inches inside the heated wall line (Michigan code minimum), and properly balanced attic ventilation. If you’ve had ice dam leaks before, ask us to inspect both.

