BPI's November Stump the Chump!

Thanks to Rob Granger of YES Foam Insulation Specialists in Allegany, New York for this month’s stumper, published in the November issue of Performance Matters: The homeowners of a 60+ year old, two story home called an energy company to solve ice dam problems on their shingle roof. Because the home had a furnace and heating distribution system (ductwork) in the attic, it was a prime candidate for spray foam to the underside of the roof deck to bring the attic into the envelope. Indeed, the air conditioning costs of the house went down significantly after the roof deck was spray foamed with 5.5 inches of two pound foam. However, the first winter after the work was done, the home still suffered from ice dams. The ice dams were less but still cause for concern. Soon after the spray foam was completed the homeowners had the shingle roof covered with a new metal roof, and replaced the furnace and air conditioning with more efficient units.

Think you know the answer?

Figure out what is going wrong with the house, write it up along with your prescribed solution, and share your wisdom by posting your answer right here in our comments section. You can also send it to us at lmcdowell@bpi.org. If you’re the first person to get the right answer, we’ll feature you, your company and your answer in the next issue of Performance Matters!