Oh, What Fun it is to Learn About Ice Damming!

Frozen gutters and icicles hanging from your roof eaves are tell-tale signs of ice dams. Ice damming is a real concern in the winter time with the cold weather. So, what are ice dams and how can Dr. Energy Saver of CT help? We are glad you asked! Read the article to find out…

Ice Dams: Ice damming occurs when heat from inside your attic warms the underside of the roof and causes snow and ice on the roof to melt. When the water hits the cold overhang and gutters, it will refreeze and form an ice dam and icicles. 

What causes ice damming? 

Inadequate attic insulation, poor attic ventilation, and clogged gutters. 

For immediate removal of these ice dams, you need to contact a roofing specialist. To prevent ice damming from occurring in the first place, you need to contact Dr. Energy Saver of CT. 

What can Dr. Energy Save or CT do?

In order to prevent ice dams, the attic needs to be properly air sealed and insulated. These upgrades will pay for themselves in fuel and electricity savings! Not to mention you will enjoy a more comfortable, less drafty home. 

Seal and Insulate Air Ducts: Ducts must be sealed to prevent leaks in an attic and insulated well to prevent heat loss (and heat gain in the summer). Your furnace may heat the air up to 100 degrees or more and send it through leaky sheet metal ducts through a 30-degree attic. It's inevitable that heat gets into the attic it's running through. This means you get less heat delivered to the room intended - so you have to run the furnace more to keep your home heated - and that costs you money. 

Air Sealing and Attic Insulation: Air sealing should always be done before adding insulation. In addition to preventing ice dams in the winter, attic air sealing can help solve other issues like drafty rooms, uneven temperatures, and high heating or cooling bills. Sealing leaks will help your attic insulation perform like it should. By insulating without air sealing first, air leaks (such as around can lights, drywall to stud seams, pipe and wire holes, openings around chimneys and duct chases, etc.) that need to be sealed will be buried under a foot or more of insulation.

Want to prevent ice damming? Give us a call to schedule your free, no obligation estimate! 1-800-328-1081