What are ice dams?
Ice dams are large ridges of ice that form around the edge of your roof. These are often accompanied by icicles, and could be a sign your house needs maintenance!
How do ice dams form?
Ice dams are formed through the melting, pooling, and eventual re-freezing of snow from your roof. This often happens due to air leaking out of your house through cracks, holes, and gaps in your walls. It could also mean that your house lacks insulation in necessary areas, which can allow heat to escape and force your furnace to work harder.
Can ice dams damage my home?
Many homeowners believe that ice dams are harmless, and simply an unavoidable occurrence. This is not true! While they can be harmless, ice dams can also cause significant damage to your home. When snow melts off of your roof, it usually will drain off into gutters due to the natural slope. When ice dams form, they can block this run-off and pool water on your roof. This sitting water can infiltrate your home, leading to mold growth, insulation damage, and ruined walls and ceilings. The weight of the ice dams on your roof may also cause damage to shingles and in some cases can dislodge gutters from your house entirely!
How can I prevent ice dams?
There are many steps you can take to prevent ice dams! Sealing air leaks, keeping gutters clean, and removing snow from your roof after a storm are all useful methods to combat ice dams. The most important thing is to keep your roof cold and dry, therefore ensuring all attic insulation and ventilation is intact and up to date is essential.
If you choose not to insulate your entire attic space, adding fiberglass or cellulose insulation to the attic floor can help prevent heat from rising into the attic and warming up the roof deck. Attic ventilation is also essential to preventing ice dams, as the mix of ridge and soffit vents allow cold air to pass through your attic, keeping the temperature of the roof deck consistent with the outside air.
How can Wise Home Energy help?
Wise Home Energy offers both in-person and virtual assessments free of charge. These assessments allow our BPI certified technicians to take a “whole home approach” to the issue at hand. Our insulation experts offer blow-in and spray foam insulation services to help keep the heat in your home! Call today at (585)-270-5836