Ice proof your attic

If you're like most people, you probably don't spend much time in the attic.
In fact, the vast majority of Canadians go up to their attics only when dealing with a leaky roof or "animal intruders" like bats or squirrels. During the winter however, attics are vulnerable to an even greater and
potentially more damaging problem: ice damming. Ice dams are large
accumulations of ice that collect on the lip of your roof or in the gutters.
Once they’ve set in, ice dams can cause melting snow or rain to accumulate
under your shingles and seep into the attic and your home.

Houses more prone to ice dams often have inadequate insulation or major
leakage of warm air from the home into the attic. They also have complicated roof shapes that concentrate water drainage into small areas and a “patchy” melt pattern when covered with frost or snow. Therefore, one way to avoid ice damming is to ensure that attics are well sealed and insulated.

However, should ice damming occur, quick fixes range from attaching electric cables to attacking the ice with an axe. But each of these “home remedies” also comes with its own drawbacks, ranging from creating an eyesore or damaging your shingles, to creating the possibility you will slip and fall off a ladder.

Fortunately, there are more effective solutions to help you protect your
house, your health – and potentially save thousands of dollars in roof
repairs. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has the
following tips on how to spot, prevent and remove ice dams from your roof.
Depending on your roof and the age of your home, these solutions include:

Waterproofing your roof by placing a self-sealing membrane under the shingles.

Air sealing the attic floor between your house and the attic space.

Insulating thoroughly with the best insulation possible, where
necessary.

By spending the time to fix the problem properly the first time, you’ll help
prevent ice damming from occurring.

For more information on Attic Venting, Attic Moisture and Ice Dams and
other fact sheets on owning, maintaining or renovating your home, visit
Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation’s website at www.cmhc.ca or call
CMHC at 1-800-668-2642.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.