Why worry about ice dams?

This winter?  Winter is still to come-- we're only half through and its snowing right now.

An ice dam can occur where uncontrolled heat and moisture leave your home, get into the attic, melts the snow on the shingles and then refreezes.

You need to check your attic for the following:

• proper ventilation at the wall/roof junction-- do you have rafter baffles installed?
• verify a minimum of 12 inches thick insulation (that do not close off the ventilation the baffles are providing)
• gable, ridge and other roof vents are open and functioning

An ice dam is created when ice works its way back up under shingles.  The next morning, with the warming morning air, it thaws and because its under the shingles, the water runs back into the attic, through your installation, through plaster or drywall ceilings and into your wall.

To prevent ice dams, be aware
Not just at the gutters or wall/roof junctions, problems could be at any opening to your attic-- plumbing closures, chimneys, cannister lights