Prevent Ice Damming Before Winter Hits

Stop Heavy Icicles From Forming On Your Roof And Prevent
Water Leakage Issues

Ice damming is a seasonal problem affecting many Canadian homes (and buildings) every winter. When ice damming is out of control, a number of problems can occur - so it’s vital to prevent ice dams. Ice damming can cause water to leak into the home. It can compromise the lifespan of roof materials. And it can often present a physical danger when big icicles fall down from the eaves. 

Why Ice Dams Form On Your Roof?

The Main Source And Cause Is Poor Insulation & Air Leakage

Ice damming is a direct result of “differential” melting and freezing. When snow accumulates on the roof, it tends to melt in the upper areas where the temperature is warmer. The melting snow flows down to the lower areas of the roof, and begins to refreeze due to the colder temperature.

The melting/freezing dynamic is cumulative – in other words, more and more ice builds up and the ice damming takes on greater proportion. The only solution is to prevent ice dams entirely.  Even with various short-term solutions, the source and cause of the ice dams must be addressed. While a building owner might implement a specific snow management solution, this is not a long-term remedy. The optimum solution is to prevent ice dams by changing the physical conditions of the attic and roof cavity. Essentially, higher-than-optimal attic temperatures must be reduced.
 

To Prevent Ice Dams, It’s Imperative To Address: 
Air Leakage, Ventilation and Insulation Issues

To prevent ice dams, it 
is necessary to prevent roof snow from melting. This is accomplished by stopping heat transfer & air leakage through the attic floor and roof cavity.

To prevent ice dams, it's necessary to prevent roof snow from melting. This is accomplished by stopping heat transfer through the attic floor and roof cavity. When attic insulation is poorly installed or simply inadequate, it requires upgrading or replacement. And when air leakage is prevalent, the pathways through the ceiling, attic, and roof must be sealed effectively. These principles are the same for a residential home, a low-rise condo, or a commercial building. One of the biggest problems in addressing air leakage is creating a “perfect” air seal. Whether in the attic roof or the roof cavity, effective air sealing is problematic because of the complexity of shapes and contours throughout the space. In short, conventional insulating and sealing methods are not reliably effective. As such, efforts to prevent ice dams often come up short.

Of course, the true proof of success is the complete absence of ice dams, the objective of any professional.
By any measure, air sealing is the key to reducing air movement and heat loss in the attic and through the roof. While insulation contractors know that every home and building is different mechanically, there are still commonalities when it comes to air sealing. 
The bottom line is that a combination of air barrier and thermal insulation will effectively reduce the chance for ice dams to form.
Few other combination approaches have proven to be as productive with long-term results.

Great Northern Insulation Addresses Ice-Damming Head On

With Great Northern Insulation, sealing the attic and roof cavity is the key to preventing ice dams. The idea is to create a complete “system” where attic and roof are properly sealed, insulated, and ventilated. It’s a system that effectively manages airflow, heating and cooling, and air moisture. In addressing the issues of ice damming, GNI recommends a spray foam application for the very best results. Spray foam creates a thick, impermeable envelope that both seals and insulates the space at one time. The beauty of spray foam is that the entire attic space is completely sealed and insulated – this includes every gap and opening; all beams, plumbing, and wiring; and all ductwork. The finished space is airtight, moisture proof, and insulated with higher R-Values than comparable products. Spray foam has become an increasingly popular choice of insulation for the attic. It’s an efficient air barrier and serves as an effective moisture barrier at the same time. Air movement and air moisture are reduced, and therefore the contributing factors to ice damming issues are addressed.
 

Contact GNI For Quick And Effective Ice Damming Solutions This Winter!

Request a Free In-Home Assessment

“The staff at Great Northern insulation are very helpful and professional. The initial spray in the house was done in a timely manner and was installed perfectly. They later came back to remove the old insulation in our attic and again their staff was very courteous and professional. We are waiting to have the remaining insulation added to our attic and they have been very accommodating of our schedules. I would not hesitate to recommend. Thank you Tyler, Derek and Dylan for great work, especially in the attic through the heat.”

Laurie

“Over the past several years, and two different houses, I have purchased just about every service that GNI sells. I just wanted to say that I have always been pleased with the people I have dealt with, their skills, professionalism, and dedication to doing the best job possible. It makes one aspect of home ownership less stressful!”

Bill Rathborne

“We live in an older home and recently had it insulated and air sealed by Great Northern Insulation. Since the work was completed, we've noticed a dramatic decrease in our heating and air conditioning bills, as well as much more comfort in our home. Dollar for dollar, proper insulation is an effective way to save energy.”

Lou Brehm