Ice dams can cause very serious and expensive to fix problems and are usually caused by improper ventilation of your attic space and inadequate insulation of your roof.
Roof ventilation and ice dams.
Mechanical attic ventilation is not a recommended solution to ice dams in minnesota.
Most ice water seal underlayment are warranted against leaks from dams that do form on the roof.
Natural attic ventilation systems are needed to dry the attic space and remove heat buildup during the summer.
The water trickles down between the layer of snow and the shingles until it reaches the eave of the roof which stays cold because it extends beyond the side of the house.
They also control energy costs and extend the life of your roof by preventing ice dams.
After a snowfall a cold roof will have a thick blanket of snow.
Intake vents help exhaust vents reduce attic heat more effectively.
Just keep the entire roof the same temperature as the eaves.
This is one of the primary measures to help you prevent ice dams.
Roof leaks or alternatively high levels of attic moisture due to a combination of inadequate attic soffit intake and ridge outlet ventilation combine with building moisture sources such as a chronic or even a single event wet basement plumbing leaks or a leaky roof from roof failure or from ice dams are likely to.
Insulation helps to prevent heat loss and does not allow snow to melt and re freeze due to fluctuations in temperature.
Getting rid of ice dams for good is simple in principle.
As cooler air comes in it forces the warmer air to keep rising up and out.
Ice dams are a sign of heat loss in the attic and this lost heat is money you throw out the window.
Mechanical attic ventilation is not recommended.
You do that by increasing ventilation adding insulation and sealing off every possible air leak that might warm the underside of the roof.
Improving ventilation and reducing heat sources against the inside roof surface are the best ways to prevent ice dams but if these methods aren t practical then it is possible to install electric heat cable along the edge of the roof line and gutters.
Intake vents draw cooler outside air into the home.
Roof ventilation in addition to attic insulation proper roof ventilation will ensure that your attic and roof are functioning as required.
Close up attic bypasses.
Finally waterproofing underlayment such as ice water seal is laid across the roof before roof shingles are applied.
Sources of attic mold.
To keep your roof cold follow these three steps.
Ventilation removes the heat and helps keep the roof deck evenly cool to help prevent snow from melting on the roof.
The key to preventing ice dams is simply to keep your attic and roof cold.
A warmer roof however will soon have clear spots where the snow has melted off and may well have icicles hanging from the eaves.
