With winter taking hold in Northeast Oklahoma, beware of ice dams on your home's roof when it snows and temperatures drop below freezing for extended periods. An ice dam forming on the roof can result in water damage to roofing, walls and attic, along with household belongings.
What is an Ice Dam?
While relatively uncommon in Oklahoma, which doesn't get as much snow or extended freezing as states to the north, ice dams can happen here. They usually result when roof temperatures are not consistent. When snow falls on the higher part of the roof, it melts and begins draining down toward the eaves. Often, those lower sections are colder, since there's less attic space underneath to warm up the roof.This re-freezes the melted snow, which builds into a ridge of ice near the edge of the roof. Snow melt accumulates behind the so-called "ice dam," and eventually finds its way through the shingles and roof. This can wreak havoc on roofing, walls and attic fixtures, as well as personal items in the attic.
How to Avoid Ice Dams
The main goal is to prevent heat from transferring through the roof and causing the snow to melt. Effective air sealing, insulation and ventilation all can accomplish this goal. It's important to insulate and seal air leaks in the roof, of course, but also in the floor between the attic and the home's lower levels, along with the attic hatch or door. This will help keep heat in your living spaces, enhancing comfort, saving energy and easing the workload of your heating system. A well-ventilated attic also will help prevent heat buildup.You'll also want to make sure that air ducts aren't leaking warm air into the attic.If you take these steps to prevent ice dams, you will reap a bonus in the summer as well. A properly sealed, insulated and ventilated attic helps with household cooling, preventing the attic from over-heating and transferring that heat downward.
For more advice on how to prevent ice dams in your Broken Arrow-area home, please contact us at Air Assurance.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ice dams and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “qimono/Pixabay”