Hi all, OK, Yes I already know about insulation and all that. I have a house that was not designed well. Now that we are using the living space in the attic we have water issues. I have been using a roof rake and getting off what I can but ice dams are a problem still. I need information on a good roof cable heating system and what I need to know. A google search is not getting me what I am looking for. I will need to hire someone to do it, but I need info. I am able to do my own electrical work if needed. At this time I can more afford the heating cable than reroofing and adding insulation to enclosed spaces (already had the West side reinsulated, which has helped a little -but not enough). The dormer roof is also flat, which adds to the issues. Anyone in Minnesota that knows someone reputable in the Northern suburbs would be helpful too. Thanks in advance.

I'm looking at redoing my soffits/eavestroughs thing spring. I purchased a house a few years back and it has an aluminum shingled roof. Awesome life on it but I'm confused beyond on heck why at the time of installation in last 90's the house kept two roof vents (not powered, non turbine) instead of installing, IMO, two more. After bumling in the attic this fall I noticed that no light passes up in the soffit area so I started going around the house with a broom stick and even though the soffits are fully vented outside there must be solid plywood underneath blocking any sort of air movement in the attic. Although I didn't find the attic temperature horrible or anything out of the ordinary I find it quite odd that someone would get an expensive roof like that and not vent it right. I understand the use of aluminum in terms of reflecting heat etc but it wreaks havoc in the winter after a snow storm and the roof heats up, melting the layer of snow on the roof and basically causing the whole sheet to slide right off. Fortunately it hasn't damaged the eaves' yet but I do have to go up in the spring and hammer some of the nails back in (hence time for eaves replacement to add some more downspouts ... only 2 on a 1200 sq ft house! .... and to get new eaves overall anyway). It may be stupid to ask because I know it's important to vent but is there any other reason other than stupidity that this wouldn't have been done when installing an aluminum shingled roof? My plans are soffit and cut out the plywood, new eaves, install a couple more roof vents, and then look at adding insulation in the attic. I live in southern ontario so the summers get pretty hot (90s and usually stay that way while the nights stay in probably the mid 70s). Thanks!