Roof Ventilation And Ice Dams

Close up attic bypasses.

Roof ventilation and ice dams.

Mechanical attic ventilation is not a recommended solution to ice dams in minnesota. It can create other attic moisture problems and may cause undesirable negative pressure in the home. Natural attic ventilation systems are needed to dry the attic space and remove heat buildup during the summer. Sources of attic mold.

Insulation helps to prevent heat loss and does not allow snow to melt and re freeze due to fluctuations in temperature. To keep your roof cold follow these three steps. Most ice water seal underlayment are warranted against leaks from dams that do form on the roof. A warmer roof however will soon have clear spots where the snow has melted off and may well have icicles hanging from the eaves.

They also control energy costs and extend the life of your roof by preventing ice dams. 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. Just keep the entire roof the same temperature as the eaves. 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.

As cooler air comes in it forces the warmer air to keep rising up and out. 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. It will allow you to.

After a snowfall a cold roof will have a thick blanket of snow. Finally waterproofing underlayment such as ice water seal is laid across the roof before roof shingles are applied. Getting rid of ice dams for good is simple in principle. Ice dams are a sign of heat loss in the attic and this lost heat is money you throw out the window.

You do that by increasing ventilation adding insulation and sealing off every possible air leak that might warm the underside of the roof. 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. 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.

Mechanical attic ventilation is not recommended. An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the underside of the layer of snow on the roof.