The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

Roof Nail Frost

A cold snap in early January caught plenty of humidity inside the house and, in fact, the attic temperature dropped so abruptly that the nails protruding through the roof iced over:

Roof Nail Frost - overview
Roof Nail Frost – overview

You’d think they were coated with plastic:

Roof Nail Frost - detail flash
Roof Nail Frost – detail flash

The incandescent bulb lighting the attic highlights the crystal planes:

Roof Nail Frost - detail ambient
Roof Nail Frost – detail ambient

As nearly as I can tell, the ice sublimes or melts-and-evaporates, because the plywood floor under the nails doesn’t have the drip marks you’d expect.

Comments

4 responses to “Roof Nail Frost”

  1. rkward Avatar
    rkward

    So many neat little discoveries all around us to find, if only everyone could be so observant and curious.

    Winter is the only time of the year that I’m reminded of sublimation and re-describe the process to my wife. But come to think of it, the findings in the ice maker indicate we don’t use much ice year round.

    1. Ed Avatar

      Perhaps I’m easily amused, but I’ve always liked “small science” things like crystals and patterns. Even better: now I have a place to save them and show them off!

  2. Daniel B Martin Avatar
    Daniel B Martin

    Stalactites in your attic!

  3. Monthly Image: Frost Growth | The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning Avatar

    […] The northeast vent on the well pit grew an ice rim during the same night that frosted the roofing nails: […]