Watch for Ice Buildup at Home
Ice buildup is common following cold weather. Often, DIY experts suggest using a rake with wheels or panty hose filled with calcium chloride to clear ice, but the real solution is much simpler.
Ice buildup occurs when the roof (minus the eaves) is warmed by the house below it. Snow melts on the roof and drains down to the eaves, where it refreezes. Because heat flows by conduction, convection and radiation, the main culprit is not the home’s insulation – it’s air leakage. Since warm air rises, the air in your home in winter ends up in your attic and roof cavity. Instead of adding more insulation, cooling the roof or warming the eaves, have your home air sealed. To do that, have your home tested with a blower door for air leakage and for the attic's connection with the house – this will serve as the ‘before’ picture. Enlist the help of a BPI-certified air sealing company to seal the floor of the attic, underneath the insulation, with spray foam or another high-performance sealant. After the seal, test your home again to gauge your ‘after’ picture. Source: IAER |
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