Preventing Ice Dams

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

Ice Dams can cause unwanted water damage to your home.

Just when we thought spring was around the corner, Mother Nature surprised Haverhill residents with almost a foot of snow last night! I think deep down we all knew another storm was in the works...it would be too good to be true to have such a mild winter like the one we’ve had this year in New England. Although it’s beautiful to look at, snow can often cause unwanted problems for home and business owners. Water damage from ice dams is a common issue we’ve seen throughout the years with our customers. There are some preventative measures you can take to help prevent water damage caused by ice dams.

Here are a few tips from “This Old House” to prevent ice dams:

• Cap your Attic Hatch

An unsealed attic hatch or whole-house fan is a massive opening for heat to escape. Cover them with weatherstripped caps made from foil-faced foam board held together with aluminum tape.

• Exhaust to the Outside

Make sure that the ducts connected to the kitchen, bathroom, and dryer vents all lead outdoors through either the roof or walls, but never through the soffit.

• Add Insulation

More insulation on the attic floor keeps the heat where it belongs. To find out how much insulation your attic needs, check with your local building department.

• Seal and Insulate Ducts

Spread fiber-reinforced mastic on the joints of HVAC ducts and exhaust ducts. Cover them entirely with R-5 or R-6 foil-faced fiberglass.

• Caulk Penetrations

Seal around electrical cables and vent pipes with a fire-stop sealant. Also, look for any spots where light shines up from below or the insulation is stained black by the dirt from passing air.

Source: This Old House https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/preventing-ice-dams

If you experience water damage from ice dams, we’re here to help. Call us at 978-374-8555.