The problem occurs when “ice dams” form along the roof edge and in the gutters. Ice dams form when snow or ice is melted by the warming sun or, more commonly, by a roof deck that is heated by rising air from inside your home. The melted snow and ice flows down the roof and, upon reaching the edge and being exposed to frigid air, refreezes.

This causes a buildup of ice that blocks any additional water flowing down, forcing it to backup. The pooled water finds its way under your roof’s shingles or between the roof edge and gutter, trickling into your home to cause damage to rafters, ceilings, walls, studs – even the foundation.

Ice dams can be prevented by taking a few relatively simple steps. First, keep gutters clean and clear so that water can flow freely. This means either a late season cleaning, or the installation of a gutter protection system like LeafAway or LeafRelief.

Even more important is to cool down your roof with proper attic insulation. By preventing heated air from escaping from your home into the attic, the temperature of the underside of the roof deck remains in better balance with the outside temperature. This helps to prevent any snow or ice cover from melting.

The time to insulate your attic is before temperatures drop to the freezing mark. Gutter protection systems are a good idea any time of year, and can also help prevent gutters from filling up and becoming clogged during rainstorms.

If you notice ice building up along the edge of your roof or in your gutters, call the professionals at Roof Masters to clear away the blockage. Climbing a ladder yourself in the winter is very hazardous. We deal with these problems all the time and are better equipped to handle the task quickly and safely.

When ice dams form, call Roof Masters at 888-889-7551.

An independent national organization called the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) conducts laboratory tests on windows to measure and rate several factors that affect thermal performance. Look for the NRFC label on any window you buy for your home. Here is what you will discover.

U-Factor
U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping. The rate of heat loss is indicated in terms of the U-factor (U-value) of a window assembly. U-Factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and 1.20. The insulating value is indicated by the R-value which is the inverse of the U-value. The lower the U-value, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight. The SHGC is the fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through a window and absorbed and subsequently released inward. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits.

Visible Transmittance
Visible Transmittance (VT) measures how much light comes through a product. The visible transmittance is an optical property that indicates the amount of visible light transmitted. VT is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The higher the VT, the more light is transmitted.

Want to save money on heating and cooling your home? Call Roof Masters at 888-889-7551 for information on energy-efficient replacement windows.