- Q.We built a custom home for
a client in west Michigan a couple of years ago, and
the home has had problems with ice ever since. It's a
1,450-square-foot ranch with cathedral ceilings and
many can lights throughout. We used blown fiberglass
insulation in the ceiling assemblies. From the
beginning, the can lights (IC-rated) overheated and
tripped their thermal-protection breakers. We finally
resorted to pulling the insulation away from the
housing of the can lights so they TAs a result, the
heat from these lights now warms up the roof and has
created a horrible ice problem instead. Last fall we
even added four pot vents to the back of the roof in
addition to the soffit-to-ridge venting. The homeowner
called to report that the pot vents have improved the
situation but not completely. I drive by this home
frequently and see ice buildup there while other homes
in the area are ice free.
A.Editor Don Jackson
responds: The fact that the home your company
built is the only one in the neighborhood with ice
problems is not going to help your reputation as a
quality builder. Adding pot vents to the roof is
tantamount to heating the outdoors in an effort to
cool the can lights.
Since you seem to be able to reach the can
lights from an adjoining attic area, you might be
able to place a sealed, insulated box around each
can, but there's a chance the overheating problem
would come back.
Instead, line up your electrician and drywall
finisher. Pull the cans and convert them to track
lighting or some other kind of surface-mounted
fixtures, then seal up and patch the ceiling,
making sure you plug all the holes. Carefully
replace the insulation and get rid of the pots, and
your problem should disappear. In the future, avoid
can lights in cathedral ceilings.