Winter brings snow-covered roofs, and on some homes that snow can lead to ice dams. If you don’t address this issue, you may have to deal with damage to your roof, gutters and foundation. In this post, Gutter Helmet® of Minnesota lists the necessary steps to take to avoid ice dams on your roof.
1. Adequate Attic Insulation
Snow is a great insulator, so it is rather ironic that ice dams typically form in the wake of heavy snowfall. To reduce ice dam formation, you need to keep your roof cold. The best way to get this done is to ensure adequate insulation in your attic. This will keep warm indoor air from escaping the interior and heating the roof, causing the snow to melt and form ice.
2. Proper Ventilation
Proper air circulation will draw cold air in from the outside and push out warm, moist air from inside your attic. This will cool the temperature in your attic and keep your roof from getting too warm. Ensure that the vents along the ridge have similarly-sized openings. The rule of thumb is to provide at least one square foot of opening for every 300 square feet of floor in the attic.
3. Get a Gutter Guard
Gutter Helmet of Minnesota provides quality protection systems for gutters in Monticello, Minnesota. Our gutter guards prevent clogs and ice build-up in your gutters, which are a leading contributor to ice dams. In addition, our Gutter Helmet system will eliminate gutter cleaning and maintenance all year-round.
4. Seal All Penetrations
Loose flashings and gaps around vent pipes and electrical work make your home more susceptible to both water and air penetration. When warm air passes through into the attic, it contributes to the formation of ice dams. Seal these gaps up with some caulk and have a professional roofer repair flashing.
By following these steps, your house should be able to stay free of ice dams through the winter. Gutter Helmet of Minnesota is the trusted name in gutter protection, so get started today with a FREE estimate from our experts. Call us at (800) 824-3772 or fill out our online form.
