Many many homes have ice problems in the winter time. From ice damning to condensation, you can really go nuts! How can you prevent these problems from occurring? The answer is protection, ventilation and insulation.
Many of the homes today have become "tighter". This means they don't breathe as well. Windows and doors seal better than in the past. Homes are much more energy efficient, and this is all well and good; however if your attic doesn't have the proper ventilation and insulation to handle the energy efficiency your going to have problems.
The average human family can put a gallon or more of moisture into the air. This comes from our own breath and perspiration. The moisture build up also happens from cooking and bathing. All this moisture can build in the attic if you don't have the proper ventilation. The necessary ventilation depends heavily on the style of home you have. If the moisture can't escape it will condense. In the winter it will freeze, and at the first thaw it will melt. The melted condensation will make it appear as if your roof is leaking. This can damage insulation, framing, walls, ceilings, electrical fixtures or even cause mold issues.
Condensation is only one half of the problem. Ice damns can be a terrible cancer to your home. There are many ways to prevent Ice damns from occurring. One way is a premium roofing underlayment, but this can only be installed if removing the shingles. If you have had ice problems in the past and are replacing your roof, insist on some kind of ice shield.
The other cures, to ice damning, is ventilation and insulation. Your attic space shouldn't be much warmer than the outside, no matter what time of the year! You should insulate the attic floor as well as possible. This will prevent the hot air from escaping into the attic. In addition to the insulation, you must have proper ventilation. The ventilation will allow any hot air to escape.
Why do you want the hot air to escape? Why don't you want your attic to be warm? If the underside of your roof is warm, and the outside of the roof has snow and ice sitting on top of it, the warmth will cause the snow to melt but it will have nowhere to go. The trapped water then freezes at night and PUSH up under the shingles. When the ice pushes under the shingles, if there is no ice shield or protection it will make its way inside your home and cause a nasty leak. This leak can and will cause the same problems as a condensation thaw.
For more information on ice shields you may go to www.graceconstruction.com or www.gaf.com For more information on insulation and ventilation you may go to www.airvent.com or www.rollvent.com Please never go on a snowy or ice roof, as it is VERY easy to slip and fall!
Many of the homes today have become "tighter". This means they don't breathe as well. Windows and doors seal better than in the past. Homes are much more energy efficient, and this is all well and good; however if your attic doesn't have the proper ventilation and insulation to handle the energy efficiency your going to have problems.
The average human family can put a gallon or more of moisture into the air. This comes from our own breath and perspiration. The moisture build up also happens from cooking and bathing. All this moisture can build in the attic if you don't have the proper ventilation. The necessary ventilation depends heavily on the style of home you have. If the moisture can't escape it will condense. In the winter it will freeze, and at the first thaw it will melt. The melted condensation will make it appear as if your roof is leaking. This can damage insulation, framing, walls, ceilings, electrical fixtures or even cause mold issues.
Condensation is only one half of the problem. Ice damns can be a terrible cancer to your home. There are many ways to prevent Ice damns from occurring. One way is a premium roofing underlayment, but this can only be installed if removing the shingles. If you have had ice problems in the past and are replacing your roof, insist on some kind of ice shield.
The other cures, to ice damning, is ventilation and insulation. Your attic space shouldn't be much warmer than the outside, no matter what time of the year! You should insulate the attic floor as well as possible. This will prevent the hot air from escaping into the attic. In addition to the insulation, you must have proper ventilation. The ventilation will allow any hot air to escape.
Why do you want the hot air to escape? Why don't you want your attic to be warm? If the underside of your roof is warm, and the outside of the roof has snow and ice sitting on top of it, the warmth will cause the snow to melt but it will have nowhere to go. The trapped water then freezes at night and PUSH up under the shingles. When the ice pushes under the shingles, if there is no ice shield or protection it will make its way inside your home and cause a nasty leak. This leak can and will cause the same problems as a condensation thaw.
For more information on ice shields you may go to www.graceconstruction.com or www.gaf.com For more information on insulation and ventilation you may go to www.airvent.com or www.rollvent.com Please never go on a snowy or ice roof, as it is VERY easy to slip and fall!