S2EP113: Ice Dams, Attics, and the Physics of a Broken Home

Watch the Full Video

Episode Summary

In this technically rich and practitioner-level conversation, home inspection expert Reuben Saltzman joins host Matt Eickman to dismantle common myths around ice dams, attic insulation, ventilation, and pest intrusion. Moving beyond surface-level homeowner advice, this episode explores the building science behind why homes fail in winter—highlighting how heat transfer, air leakage, disturbed insulation, and animal activity interact to create cascading structural problems. From one-and-a-half-story homes and rodent-driven thermal failures to Minnesota energy code requirements, Saltzman delivers a no-nonsense, systems-based framework for understanding—and preventing—ice dams, attic mold, and moisture damage before they become catastrophic.

Key Takeaways:

Ice dams are caused by two conditions only: heat reaching the roof deck and snow accumulation—everything else is secondary.
One-and-a-half-story homes are inherently vulnerable to ice dams and are often cost-prohibitive to fully fix.
Air sealing—not insulation or ventilation—is the primary driver in preventing attic-related failures.
Adding insulation without air sealing can actually increase the risk of frost, mold, and ice dams.
Pest activity (especially squirrels and mice) significantly degrades insulation performance and accelerates heat loss.
Roof ventilation treats symptoms, not causes, and has minimal correlation with ice dam prevention.
Snow removal via roof raking is the only universally effective short-term ice dam prevention strategy.
Minnesota energy code legally requires air sealing before adding attic insulation—yet many contractors ignore it.
Homeowners often delay action until interior water damage appears, despite earlier warning signs.

Chapters:

00:00 – What actually causes ice dams
02:00 – Why winter is the best time to fix attic issues
03:20 – The structural damage progression of ice dams
06:00 – Why roofs leak under pooled water
08:00 – Why one-and-a-half-story homes are fundamentally flawed
09:10 – Roof raking: the simplest prevention method
10:45 – How rodents destroy insulation efficiency
12:30 – What a “perfect” attic should look like
14:15 – Insulation depth, settling, and real-world standards
16:00 – Why almost every attic has mice
17:30 – Air sealing vs. insulation: the real hierarchy
21:20 – Minnesota energy code and contractor shortcuts
23:50 – Pest control: reactive vs. preventative thinking
28:15 – Ice dam safety and homeowner injury risks
30:30 – Why ventilation is wildly overvalued
34:15 – The myth of “heat rises” in attic airflow
35:15 – Fitness, family, and closing reflections