Outdoor Living
Preventing Ice Dam Damage
The cold weather brings with it many potential dangers to a home. Ice dams are one such situation that could prove a formidable foe to homeowners.
Under normal circumstances, gutters and downspouts are in place on a home to ensure water runoff from the roof makes its way down and away from the house. However, during the winter months, snow accumulation on the roof may melt over surfaces of the roof that are warmed by an underlying attic, drip down to the end of the roof and refreeze in areas where there is less surface warmth. Eventually a block of ice may form over the gutter or at the edge of it, preventing further roof runoff from properly draining. All it takes is a little trickle of melted snow to pool up and leak back under the roofing shingles and into the home.
Preventing ice dams takes some work and financial investment on the part of the homeowner. It also starts with a quality roof.
Because most homeowners do not regularly inspect their roofs, it's an easy place for contractors to skimp. A quality roofer will ensure that homes in snowy areas have the following components:An ice and water barrier installed on all roof edges and over all valleys, proper flashing, rolled asphalt underlayment over the entire roof, and quality roofing shingles with the right overlap.
Homeowners must also provide adequate attic ventilation and insulation to cut down on ice dam problems. After all, it is the warm air from the attic that melts the snow on the roof. A cooler attic temperature might lead to less melted snow and, as a result, less water seepage as well.
Investigate the R-value of insulation products before use and install the one that will meet the needs in the home and geographic area. Check where other sources of warm air could be entering the attic, such as from ventilation fans or recessed lighting fixtures. Weather stripping attic stairs and fixtures may be a solution.
Ensuring cool air can flow through the attic is another way to reduce the temperature in this space. Ventilation systems can be installed to properly air out an attic. In most homes, a louvered window or gable vent in the attic is not adequate to provide proper air flow. Consult with a professional about upgrading an attic ventilation system.
By taking a few measures to improve insulation, roofing and ventilation, homeowners can greatly reduce the likelihood of water damage from ice dam formation.