Keeping your roof COLD is the key to Ice Dam prevention!
So how do you go about that? There are three essential elements to solving this problem. Many people think that heating the roof is the solution, BUT that is actually the problem. When the roof is heated enough to force snow and ice to melt rapidly, the water drains down to the eaves where it is much colder and refreezes there. If you have aluminum gutters, the likelihood of this occurrence, with all other variables being the same slightly increases. The ice cold aluminum will instantly freeze the draining water, causing large, heavy ice dams.
This can lead to damaged gutters, damaged shingles, rotting of fascia, water damage to roof and inside attic (moisture in an attic has huge Mold potential) and more. Because the roof will continue to warm from the top down, more melting will occur, dumping excessive amounts of water next to your home's foundation. This can also have detrimental affects on your home including flooded basements, foundation cracks, ruined walkways and landscaping and much more.
So how do you keep your roof COLD?
The key is Insulation. I recommend the use of spray foam insulation. By implementing an air channel system, your attic will draw cold air in through the soffit vents up and out through the ridge vent. Adding insulation to the rafters over the air channels will keep the roof colder and the attic warmer. Ideally that is what we all want right? Adding blown-in or blankets of insulation to the attic floor will assist in keeping the attic at a reasonable temperature and keep the living spaces of your home much warmer in the Winter months. If you have a heating system in your attic, we recommend that you consider insulating the unit and any ducts. This minimizes the heat being forced up (heating your roof) and maximizes the efficiency of your heating system, keeping the heat where it is supposed to be.
Lois Bartels is the owner of Green Bear Innovations, Massachusetts greenest home improvement company offering green insulation, basement waterproofing, foundation repair, sump pump installations, mold and radon assessment and remediation... We use energy efficient products, recycled/recyclable materials and hold a high standard for resource conservation during all installations. We are based in Reading, MA and serve the entire state and also RI, CT and NH. For more information about our Green Insulation check out our website, http://www.greenbearinnovations.com
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