Ice dams can take a toll on your home, so it’s good to know what they are and how to avoid them. It’s enough to put up with the sleet, snow and freezing cold temperatures of an Illinois winter without adding these troublemakers to the list.
When you picture your house in the dead of winter, do you see icicles hanging off the roof and gutters? Have they always been there? They may seem decorative, but they’re a sign of ice dams, and if you have them every winter, they’re most likely causing damage to your home.
Ice Dam Basics
That ridge of ice you see in winter clinging to the edges of many Frankfort roofs forms when heat from the attic warms the roof and melts any accumulated snow. The water running off the roof refreezes near the gutters where it’s cooler. Then it snows again, the new snow also melts, and the ice that formed previously creates an ice dam, holding the water right where it stands: on the roof.
Standing water on your roof can leak into your home, causing mold and health issues along with damage to ceilings, walls and the structure of your house. There’s no point in painting over the brown stains on your ceiling or walls from last year’s leaks until you act this year to prevent further ice dams from forming.
How to Avoid Ice Dams
Ice dam prevention starts with proper insulation. With insulation, the heat stays where you need it—in your living areas—and does not escape to heat your roof and create ice dams.
How you insulate your attic depends on what you consider your living area.
Insulate and air seal your attic floor
This will keep heat in your living space and out of your attic, so your attic stays nearly the same temperature as your roof. It’s also important to seal any gaps that allow air to leak into your attic.
Insulate the roof of your attic
This approach will keep your attic warm but stop heat from escaping through the roof and melting snow. It can also be helpful to insulate ductwork and chimneys—basically, anything that touches the attic.
Keep your roof clear of snow
This will also help keep ice dams from forming, but unless you’ve got the time, the right tools and the experience, it’s prudent to hire a professional for the job.
Make ice dams on your house a thing of the past. Assured Insulation Solutions will help you stop ice dams for good with new insulation and proper air sealing. Our experts will create a protective envelope that keeps the heat in your living areas where it belongs and prevents the conditions favorable to ice dams.
Say no to ice dams this year. Contact us to learn more and schedule your appointment today.
Say no to ice dams this year. Contact us and schedule your appointment today.