
Wisconsin winters are especially snowy and cold, which can be taxing on your home. Icicles and ice dams that form along the edge of your roof can cause significant damage to your home’s exterior. Luckily, they can be prevented with insulation and air sealing by the ice dam prevention contractors at Wisconsin Home Improvement.
An ice dam is a build up of ice that blocks gutters and restricts melting snow from draining off your roof. If your attic is not well insulated, heat can escape from it during the winter and melt the accumulated snow. As the melted water begins to move towards the edge of the roof, it refreezes. This causes blocks of ice to form and creates ice dams and icicles. Ice dam removal is difficult and must be done regularly because they can wreak havoc on your home’s gutters, siding, roof and attic. They can also lead to roof leaks and water damage inside your home.
During the winter, escaping heat from your attic can melt snow that’s accumulated on your roof. As the melted water begins to move towards the edge of the roof, it meets a colder area that then refreezes it. This causes blocks of ice to form and create ice dams, including icicles which hang from your gutters and roof.
Preventing ice dams is much more effective than trying to remove them. While keeping your gutters clean and raking your roof are helpful, the best ice dam prevention includes:
Air sealing will help with ice dam prevention because it will reduce the amount of warm air that gets into your attic. This will keep the snow on your roof from melting, and the heat in your home where it belongs. As an added benefit, air sealing will also lower your energy bills and keep your home more comfortable.
Insulation acts as a thermal barrier for your home, preventing heat transfer. Attic insulation prevents ice dams by reducing the melting and refreezing effect that creates them. Improving your attic insulation also enhances the effects of air sealing, which prevents ice dams while keeping your home more cozy and energy efficient.
Our team of experts at Wisconsin Home Improvement can help with ice dam removal and permanent ice dam prevention. We have been delivering comfort, healthy, and energy efficient solutions to Milwaukee area homes for over 38 years. If you’re unsure where to get started, schedule a home performance audit with us to determine where heat is escaping from your home.
262-229-4170