Dammit, it's winter again! The cold Wisconsin winter not only brings the joys of shoveling driveways and failing car batteries. Post snowstorm, warm roof areas melt snow, but a freeze-thaw cycle is created due to exterior temperatures. This carries the risk of your roof forming costly ice dams. Before examining the problems caused by ice, it's important to understand what causes ice dams. The ice itself isn't a major concern for water leakage; it's water that pools behind the dam from warmer weather that causes more substantial damage to drywall, flooring, electrical components, and the things that make your home your home.
With these risks, one may ask themselves: what can I do to prevent ice dams? Ensure that you have proper insulation between your home and the attic. This is one of the most helpful things you can do as a homeowner to prevent ice dams. Quality insulation helps prevent heat from leaking from your home, reducing your heating bills. This will help prevent snow from melting on your roof during those harsh winter storms.
Proper ventilation ensures proper airflow within your attic, and this air flow helps prevent the formation of ice dams. In the wintertime, it's a good idea to inspect that all ventilation in your home is not clogged with any debris that may accumulate throughout the year. It is also a good idea to have a ridge vent added along the peak of your roof; this will help increase the ventilation and reduce the chance of your home forming ice dams. Most importantly, use quality ice and water underlayment. It prevents damages caused by pooling water in the case of ice damming.
Improving ventilation and ensuring that your roof can hold up to a brutal Wisconsin winter are key. Call Modern Exterior today when you have concerns about how your roof will hold up in these tough conditions.
