How to Prevent Ice Dams – The Most Important Winter Roofing Tips

Ice dams can really become a problem, whether as a direct or indirect threat to your roof’s structural integrity. By putting extra weight on your roof and adding even more pressure by trapping a larger quantity of snow and ice on your actual roof, ice dams can often cause parts of the roof to fail. In most cases, the damage will be clearly seen in the spring, and it will also be quite expensive to fix.

 

The best thing you can do is eliminate the problem before it even happen – by removing the ice dams as a factor. Doing so will, of course, not be an easy task. However, with a few simple tips, you can do it even if you’re not an expert roofer:

 

1. The first thing you can do is block all the crevices and cracks where heat can escape from the attic. By closing up all attic bypasses, you can reduce the effects of condensation and keep heat inside, thereby not only saving energy but making it harder for ice dams to form.
2. If your attic insulation is not up to par with the standards in your area, add more until your home meets the required standards.
3. Add roof vents to create a buffer temperature area between the surface of your roof and the interior of the home. While your insulation should do the trick to ensure that condensation doesn’t form, roof vents can take it to the next level ensuring that no excess humidity makes it to the roof to lead to the formation of ice dams.  For expert roofing help, look to local companies such as MidKansas Exteriors for professional roofing services.

Originally Posted right here: How to Prevent Ice Dams – The Most Important Winter Roofing Tips