Preventing Ice Dams
Ice dams can be described as build-ups of ice and snow on your roof and in your gutters. Ice dams form when there is a build up of snow on your roof. The snow melts, then freezes again trapping water up under roof shingles. Eventually cracks form and water leaks through to the roof deck and into the interior of your home. The melting can be from the warmer winter days when the outside temperature is above freezing or from the warm air in the home rising into the attic warming the roof and melting the snow. The best way to eliminate the ice buildup is to maintain the same temperature between your roof and the outside air. Here are three things you can do to help protect your home against Ice Dams:
Insulation helps reduce the amount of warm air that escapes into the attic. You should have ceiling insulation with a rating of R40. Make sure no insulation is stuck in an area that would not allow air to flow between the soffit vents and ridge vent.
Waterproofing Shingle Underlayment creates a weathertight barrier between the roof deck and the shingles.
Ventilation warm air is vented out of
the attic keeping the roof cold preventing the snow from melting and ice
from forming. Your roof should have a continuous ridge vent and soffit vents
that enable air to flow into the attic and then circulate out the top.
Again, make sure no insulation is stuck in an area that would not allow air
to flow between the soffit vents and ridge vent.
You can learn more about insulation, soffit vents, ridge vents, or shingle underlayment by calling us.
01/31/07
Information and specifications are subject to change without notice.
