Simple Ways to Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams are formed when huge amounts of snow gather on the roof and it begins melting from the underside.  The cold water travels to the roof edge and forms dam. This means that the water does not drain off but it backs up on the roof and with time starts damaging it along with the ceiling and walls. You do not have to go through this as there are various steps that can help you get help on how to prevent ice dams.

The first one that should be followed by all individuals who are looking for techniques on how to prevent ice dams is to insulate the attic’s ceiling. This can be done easily with a flashlight so that you can rectify any mistakes here. This is very helpful as this is one of the most significant rooms that permits a lot of heat loss. It is also important to make sure that there is an open channel that allows air to pass through the vents in the attic. Insulation baffles can also be attached under the roof sheathings to get a solution on how to prevent ice dams. This will allow you to insulate the top of the walls so that air does not escape into the restricted areas.

It is also possible to use expandable foam or caulk to seal any gaps around electric cables or pipes that penetrate the top plates of the walls found in the rooms below. Insulating the attic stairs or weather stripping combined with insulation also works wonders. Remember to keep the attic vents open so that the heat that comes from other rooms like the living area can escape through the vents before warming up the roof. It is recommended that the size of the vents should be about 1/150 of the floor area of the attic.

Installing electric heat pipes that are thermostatically controlled is also another solution on how to prevent ice dams. This should be done in a zigzag motion into the gutters through the lower part of the roof. Because the wires clip onto the shingles easily, it is a simple project that can be done by anyone without ant complications. You will however need to have a ground fault circuit interrupter that is weatherproof that will be placed at the roof edge. A professional electrician can also be used to handle the job in case you feel that you can’t handle it.

Another safe bet when it comes to methods on how to prevent ice dams is to install a waterproof membrane that can be nailed to the roof. This is normally placed directly above the walls found in the exterior. This is however best done when undertaking a project of re- roofing. It is important to note that cold drafts that emerge from electrical outlets in the  rooms located under the attic can be an indication of an opening at the top of the wall that should be dealt with immediately. You can also invest in high quality snow guards that usually help in prevention of dislodging of ice that ends up sliding from the roof and causing damage to the gutter.