Our fourth season of the year has made itself known with lots of snow and cold temperatures.
One of the best parts of living in the greater Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area year round is getting to experience the areas four distinct seasons. I believe we truly live in the most beautiful part of the country. With this winter being more on the snowy side of things compared to what we have had in the last couple of years I thought I would try to answer one frequently asked questions that comes with a winter full of snow and ice.
What are ice dams?
In short ice dams are a build up of ice at the edge of your roof created by water melting from higher up on the roof and refreezing once the melted water gets to the unheated edge of the roof.
This image is linked to an inspectors website out of Minnesota that has some great info on ice dams.
Can I prevent ice dams on my home?
The key to preventing ice dams is preventing air from inside the home leaking up into the attic. Adding insulation to your ceiling and having a properly vented roof is key to preventing this issue. Additionally, heat cables installed on your roofs leading edge and through the gutter system help allow the water to melt for the roof and flow to the ground drainage area.
Heating cables help water to flow during cold temperatures.
Roof Rake
A roof rake is a tool used to clear snow from the leading edge of your roof. It is a handy tool to reduce the weight from snow and ice on sheds and carports as well as preventing large ice dams from forming on your roof.
Plan ahead
Here are some things to think about doing Spring and Summer to ensure your home can survive a wintery Winter
- Have a thermal heat test done in your attic to see where warm air is leaking from and add insulation.
- Make sure your roof is properly vented.
- Install heat cables on to the leading edge of the roof and through the gutter system.
- Purchase a roof rake to help clear snow from the leading edge of the roof.
- Have your gutters cleaned in the fall to make sure the water has somewhere to go.
- Plan for the worst and hope for the best!
