How to Prevent Ice Dams from Threatening your Roofing Replacement in MA
Posted by Alan Franca on Mon, Jan 02, 2012 @ 12:09 PM
There is much more to a roof replacement than properly situating and securing shingles – ventilation considerations must also be taken into account, or your home could suffer from ice dams, which causes homeowners millions of dollars of damages annually. You’ve probably noticed that the snow that builds up on your eaves seems to remain longer than the buildup closer to the ridgeline, but do you know why? It’s simply because the heat loss from inside the home warms the roof above it, leaving eaves to fend for themselves until temperatures rise. How can we help alleviate this issue?
Most professional roofers in Massachusetts will agree, that a soffit-to-ridge ventilation system is the most effectual design that can be used to allow your roof to breathe, thus helping regulate the sheathing and help balance the temperature of the roof. Soffit and ridge vents run continuously along the span of the house and are placed directly underneath the eaves, and they are much more productive overall compared to power vents, turbines, and gable louvers alone. Beyond preventing ice dams, this system allows heat to escape the attic spaces in the summer, thus lowering overall cooling costs.
A perfect example of how we used the vinyl soffit ventilation system involves a roofing replacement we did for a Wellesley Hills, MA customer whose roof had begun to deteriorate due to ice dams and other weather-related elements. Impressed by the variety of colors and styles offered by GAF Three-Tab Shingles, and the company’s Lifetime Limited Warranty, the customer decided to do the install in a nice Charcoal shade. Having been proven to resist winds up to 150 MPH and withstand even the harshest elements, a GAF roofing replacement is MA is an ideal solution for those seeking ultimate resiliency from their shingles.
However, even the finest roofing product could not entirely solve this customer’s problem – we still had to handle his issues with ventilation. Look at the first photo and notice how the gutters sit directly beneath his eaves. Because the roof has no overhang, our expert carpentry outfitters extended it by 6 inches, which left ample room to install the vinyl soffit beneath the longer eaves. Today, this homeowner is enjoying a beautiful new roof, and seeing lower energy costs. All the while knowing his roofing installation will bring him a lifetime of benefits!
So, if you are have problems with ice dams, have concerns about ventilation, or feel like your roof may be in trouble, contact Franca Services today, and schedule your free consultation with one of our professional roofing installers.
.
