When winter rolls around and water starts freezing all over your home, it’s no surprise to see icicles hanging from your roof. It’s very common to see icicles hanging from the edges of your roof but when you noticed that your gutters have been filled with ice, that’s where the real problem arises. It can be quite costly to free your gutters from ice dams so it is best to take preventive measures.
Not much can be done about the formation of icicles as they are primarily hanging over the side of your roof and not in the gutters. However, since ice dams form in the gutter, there is a need to take action so you don’t face costly repairs down the road. Ice dams are much bigger than icicles and usually form in gutters. Poor ventilation can cause ice dams just as much as poor insulation because ventilation helps prevent the attic from getting warm enough to melt snow on the roof deck.
How Do Ice Dams Form?
You probably know that ice dams result from water dripping from your roof and then freezing at the gutter. There’s more to the story than that.
When snow or ice gathers on your roof, it eventually melts from the heat building up in your attic. However, your gutter is not as warm as your attic roof, so the water freezes again at the gutter, forming a stalactite of frozen dripping water.
Are Ice Dams Bad for Your Home?
While icicles are an iconic part of winter in the north, ice dams are a reason to be cautious. For one thing, if ice gathers in your gutter forming an ice dam, it can stop your gutter system from working. If there is ever a gradual drop in temperature, these huge ice blocks begin to melt before they seep into your roof and cause mold.
If dams get too heavy and gather in one place, they might also wear down your gutters. Worst case scenario, they can tear your gutters from your roof. Besides possibly causing mold to form, ice dams are a sign that too much heat is gathering in your attic. Good insulation keeps your roof cold enough that vast chunks of snow won’t melt. Inadequate insulation makes your roof warm enough to melt snow, even when the outside temperature is well below freezing.
In short, poor ventilation or insulation may be a cause of ice dams.
How to Prevent Icicles From Forming
Icicles themselves are oftentimes unavoidable. Ice dams, however, can be prevented with proper insulation. By ensuring your insulation is up to par, you can help keep the heat in your attic from melting the snow on your roof and prevent icicles and ice dams from forming.
If you’re unsure about the quality of insulation in your home, call a professional insulation company. They will be able to assess your insulation and make recommendations for improvement. In the meantime, take measures to prevent ice dams from forming, such as:
-Remove snow from your roof after each storm
-Seal any cracks or holes in your attic
-Install insulation baffles to ensure proper ventilation
-Make sure your gutters are clear of debris
Why Should You Keep Your Home Insulated?
It’s an obvious question, but there are other answers besides “insulating your home will keep you warm.”
Keeping your home at the right temperature will help prevent too much condensation from forming behind your walls, thereby preventing mold. Mold grows dangerous spores and might cause allergic reactions in some people. Pests, like insects, mice, or rats, could also get into your house via holes in your walls. By insulating your home, you could help keep it airtight and also save on energy costs, by not having to constantly heat or cool your home. Not insulating your home presents several opportunities for damage, all of which can prove costly in the long run.
If you think your insulation might not be up to par, or if you have any questions about insulation, contact a professional insulation company. They will be able to help you improve the insulation in your home and make it more comfortable and energy-efficient.
Insulation is an important part of any home or business as it protects its inhabitants from harsh temperatures. There are different types of insulation, and it is important to know which type you should use for your house or building. Typically the more insulation you have, the better and more efficient your building will be. Insulation is a very important aspect of making an environment more comfortable and energy efficient. It is also benefit financially as it helps to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool a residence or commercial indoor space. This then lowers the amount of money spent on energy bills. The cost of insulation can make it seem like a large upfront expense; however, it is an investment that pays for itself with lower bills in the future. It has also been shown to make houses and businesses more marketable when trying to sell due to its increased value and features. Another benefit of increased insulation is comfort. It can make a resident or commercial business feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Insulation in homes and businesses is not only beneficial to the resident/or business owner, but also to an aspect that goes beyond this. A new study has shown that energy efficiency measures such as insulation can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This fact is especially important, as making homes and businesses more energy efficient can be beneficial for the environment. It is now easier than ever to insulate a resident or commercial building as well as to install other energy-efficient measures. As a professional commercial and residential “insulation company near me”, Colonial Insulation will save your home as well as your business a considerable amount of time and money. If you have been searching for a commercial and residential “insulation company near me”, then contact us today for a free insulation estimate.
For more information about Colonial Green Products or to get a free quote for insulation installation services, visit our website or call us at 1-800-947-8870. We strive to be the best insulation installation service in Rochester, NH. You can trust Colonial Green Products to always provide satisfaction guaranteed insulation installation service.