Blanket Insulation Protects Against Highly Damaging Ice Dams

Ice dams are a common problem An ice dam is an ice build-up on the eaves of sloped roofs of heated buildings that results from melting snow under a snow pack reaching the eave and freezing there. Ice dams can cause very significant damage to your home. They can tear off your gutters, loosen up shingles from your roof, and they can lead to a water backup that will drain into your home. An ice dam will block water from draining off the roof and can lead to water leaking through your roof.

To prevent ice dams, you have to prevent heat loss. The only way to do that is to make sure that your home insulation has the required R-value to keep the heated air in your living space from escaping through the roof.

During winter, ice dams can form as a result of too much heat loss out of your home. If your blanket insulation in Boston, MA is inadequate, the heat that escapes through the attic melts the snow on the roof. As the melted snow runs down the roof, the low temperature and the remaining snow refreeze it creating ice dams and icicles. And as additional melted snow pools against the dam, the water can leak into your house through the roof or trim, or fall behind your siding and windows, causing even more problems.

Houses in Massachusetts should have a ceiling insulation of at least R-38 or about 12 inches of blown or blanket insulation. The heat from your living room needs to be prevented from entering your attic. Otherwise, the heat that is supposed to warm your home will escape through the roof and melt the snow that has accumulated on top. Worse, you will not only suffer from the inconvenience of ice dams, but also from high home heating bills.

To find out more about how to properly insulate your existing home to prevent ice dams, contact Custom Insulation Company, Inc.