The most effective attic insulation, like Owens Corning’s R-thirty insulation, will retain heat with the living Place from seeping into your attic, and in doing this may also minimize the potential risk of ice dam development.
Photo: Suzanne Tucker through Shutterstock Calcium chloride is identical stuff utilized to melt and remove ice on driveways and sidewalks, but don’t just sprinkle it about the ice dam.
How it works: A roof rake is a lengthy-handled Instrument using a flat head that means that you can pull snow off the roof from the ground.
Sealing these leaks with caulk, expanding foam, or weatherstripping helps prevent the warm air from reaching the roof deck and initiating the soften-freeze cycle.
While eradicating an ice dam may well appear daunting, with the right solution, you may safely and securely and efficiently get rid of it without resulting in even more harm to your roof.
There exists also a serious safety issue. Ice protected roofs are slippery and unpredictable. Incorporating sharp equipment increases the risk of personal injury or falls.
When selecting a certified contractor, make sure they've good coverage and machines Assembly Ice Dam Steaming Association standards. Legitimate steamers hardly ever have triggers about the gun – triggers reveal pressure washing machines, not real steam.
How it works: A low-force steamer employs sizzling steam to soften the ice dam without the need of leading to damage to the roof.
A long-handled aluminum roof rake will let you securely take away snow from the roof and deposit it onto the bottom. Decide on a rake with wheels, which is able to be A great deal gentler on the shingles.
Drawbacks: Necessitates specialized devices and Experienced aid. Is often dearer than other techniques.
As it melts the ice, it can produce a tube-like channel in the ice dam, which will permit extra drinking water that melts to run properly off the roof. It’s crucial to Take note that if there is more snow or rainfall in the days next, the channels can speedily fill again up.
Put in sealed can lights. Previous-type recessed lights give off good plumes of warmth and might’t be insulated devoid of developing a fireplace hazard. Exchange them with sealed “IC” fixtures, which may be protected with insulation.
Significant-force washers are Unquestionably off-boundaries for roof ice dam removal. These devices blast drinking water at 4000+ PSI, website stripping protective granules off shingles and voiding warranties. That high-pressure h2o can drive dampness deep beneath shingles, generating the exact difficulty you’re trying to solve.
Set up Ice and Water Protect: Consider installing an ice and h2o protect underneath the shingles in vulnerable places, like the eaves and valleys. This waterproof membrane gives an extra layer of protection versus h2o intrusion.