An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. Figure 1 shows a cross section of a home with an ice dam.

What causes ice dams?
There is a complex interaction among the amount of heat loss from a house, snow cover, and outside temperatures that leads to ice dam formation. For ice dams to form there must be snow on the roof, and, at the same time, higher portions of the roofs outside surface must be above 32

For many, the heavy March rains this year served as an unpleasant reminder of one of the many challenges of owning a home in New England. Dealing with wet basements is no fun, and can be costly if you have finished space and it is an ongoing problem.

Understand the problem- Where basement water comes from.

Each home and basement is different. Your foundation may be fieldstone, poured concrete, or concrete block walls. The most common water entry points are through the foundation walls, seepage at the wall to footing joint, or elevated groundwater that comes up through the slab. Basement leaks can result in water damage to personal property, basement finishes, damage to hot water heaters and boilers, and ongoing environmental issues such as mold. Several sources of water typically get into basements:

1. Surface water is runoff water, usually the result of a heavy storm in combination with blocked gutters or downspouts. If you have mainly a surface water problem, it will typically show up as stains starting at the top of a cellar wall.
2. Groundwater comes from below the slab and behind the foundation walls as the water table builds up on top of the subsurface rock, shale, or other impermeable layer under your house. That explains why a higher elevation doesn’t always guarantee a dry cellar in a wet year. Groundwater built up behind the foundation wall creates hydrostatic pressure.
3. Sewage back-ups. During storm events, sewer systems can be overloaded by infiltration of rain and groundwater into the sewer system. If the system becomes surcharged, and your at a low point in the system, the pressure can actually force the sewer up through a basement toilet or basement laundry drain. These types of problems are less frequent and not covered herein.
4. Storm water system back-ups. In some towns (such as Brookline), basement sump pits and downspouts are connected to the storm water drainage system. If the system ever becomes overloaded, it can surcharge the system and if you are at a low-point, can back water up into the sump pit rather than drain it away.

What to do?

Eliminate as much surface water as possible. This job is a matter of seeing where water collects and then doing something about it. The best time to locate trouble spots is during a rainstorm.

• The best defense against surface water is having a properly graded lot. The best scenario is that the house is situated such that the grade falls away from the house for at least 10 feet in all directions. Ideally, any surface water collecting on your lot can drain naturally away, and not form ponding that further adds to groundwater. This is an ideal which is rarely fully achieved.
• Keep gutters and downspouts well-maintained and clear of leaves and other debris. Overflowing gutters will dump hundreds of gallons of water around the house foundation instead of carrying it away. Eventually that water will find its way into the cellar.
• Make sure downspouts are draining water well away from the house. If your home doesn’t have subsurface drains, install concrete or plastic splash blocks where downspouts discharge, and pitch them to direct runoff at least 6 feet away from the house foundation.
• If your downspouts discharge into subsurface drain tile or pipes make sure they are not clogged by debris.

• Protect basement window wells. If landscaping near the house is pitched toward the foundation, for example, water will flow into the wells. In even a moderate storm, water will build up rapidly and will seep through window joints or the wall into the cellar. To cure this, grade the landscaping away from the house and build up the height of the window-well perimeter with corrugated sheet metal. If that doesn’t work, you may have to install underground drainage pipes.
• Understand the full picture of surrounding grading. Is there additional water being added to your lot from neighboring lots, overflow from streets, your neighbors sump pump etc. Investigate if that water may be drained away from your foundation with natural grade.

Preparing for groundwater problems.

Sump Pits and French drains The most common approach to handling groundwater problems is to use a sump pump in a basement floor to lower the water table. In newer houses, the basement slab is generally poured on 6

For owner selected items such as tile, flooring, cabinets, and appliances, an estimated allowance permits a client to understand the entire cost of the project. However, it can also lead to problems. Many honest, quality builders may lose jobs to other builders because they determine a realistic allowance that truly captures the cost of the entire project. On paper, it appears that the price is higher than the competition. On the other hand, many builders will set low allowances that are unrealistic or insufficient to completing a high quality project. Be cautious of a budget that seems too good to be true.

The best approach is to do some shopping for items to be selected ahead of evaluating your bids. Communicate with your builder the types of materials and appliances you are planning on using. The best approach is to establish these budgets ahead of time, and give all builders bidding your project the same allowances to use so you have more of an

1. Client thinks the builder did not complete the punch-out, walk-through list

At the end of a project, the builder and client compile a walk-through list. During the walk-through the client and builder assess whether the project is completed as expected. The walk-through should be thorough, and completed on a single day, preferably before the client moves into the new space. It is important that the client has this list in writing and is signed, as to prevent a never ending list and create a consensus between the builder and client about expectations.

2. Client is under the impression that additional orders, such as more windows, will not be an extra cost.

Change orders must be put in writing and clearly communicated. A clear and concise scope of work as part of the proposal process avoids this kind of ambiguity and makes for clear determination of both additions to, and deductions from the contract.

3. Homeowner is dissatisfied with the builder. Builder finds the client to have unrealistic expectations.

Communicating expectations before signing a contract will prevent misunderstandings and frustration. This may take more effort and time but it will result in a smoother building process and positive relationship between the builder and client. If possible, visit projects the builder has completed. Assess the quality of the millwork, tile work, paint finishes, etc..

4. The homeowner thinks the builder didn