An ice dam is a frozen barrier formed near the edge of your home’s roof when runoff from melting snow refreezes. This barrier prevents additional runoff from leaving the roof via the gutters and downspouts. That water pools up behind the ice dam, potentially causing water damage to your attic. Understand how to prevent ice dams to eliminate this risk.
What’s the main reason ice dams form? It’s directly related to uneven heat transfer between your attic and the roof. If warm air is collecting in your attic, it will warm up the higher parts of the roof, while leaving the edges of the roof, with little underlying attic, cold. This is where the ice begins forming a barrier on your roof.
What damage will result from an ice dam? The runoff behind the ice dam may back up under the roof’s shingles, saturating the decking and causing water damage. This water damage can spread throughout the attic, insulation, ceilings and walls. A roof rake or cold air being blown into the attic can help remove an ice dam but following preventive measures is the most effective and safest way to protect your home.
How can ice dams be prevented? You can prevent ice dams from forming by increasing insulation, properly sealing your home and ventilating the attic.
- Insulate. Your attic should be able to maintain a constant temperature with proper insulation. Inspect the attic looking for bare areas or places where the insulation is damaged. Insulation on the attic floor should rise as high as the top of the floor joists.
- Seal. The warm air from your home’s interior should be prevented from entering the attic. Seal any leaks in the attic floor and the shared interior ceiling to prevent the warm air from escaping.
- Ventilate. Consider using attic vents, attic fans or natural methods of ventilation depending on your home’s design. A professional HVAC technician can help you determine which method is best for your specific needs.
If you have questions about eliminating or preventing ice dams on your home’s roof, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We are proud to offer expert HVAC advice and services to Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Ice Dams and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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