Keep your attic space properly ventilated and your family protected with our Pennsylvania Home Insurance!
12/31/2011 10:45:00 AM
Each winter, Pennsylvania home insurance claims are filed because of water damage caused by ice dams following heavy snowfalls. An ice dam forms at the lower edge of a roof when snow repeatedly melts and freezes. Ice builds up in roof gutters and water is forced under shingles and into the roof space of your home.
Ice dams are usually the result of snowfall on a roof above a poorly ventilated attic space. You cannot avoid heavy snowfall, but you can take steps to prevent warm air from lower floors of your home escaping into the attic. This will avoid snow from melting beneath and causing ice dams to form.
• Install vents in the gables at each end of the attic to improve ventilation.
• Make sure that the floor of the attic is well insulated to minimize rising heat.
• Improve waterproofing lining the roof with an impervious membrane.
• Consider improving insulation of the attic space with spray foam insulating material.
By keeping your attic space cold, you can reduce the risk of ice dams forming on your roof. Most local authorities have codes and regulations relating to attic ventilation, so talk to your local planning department before you embark on home improvement work in your attic. Remember, talk to your insurance agent too, in case your plans affect your Pennsylvania home insurance!
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Ice dams are usually the result of snowfall on a roof above a poorly ventilated attic space. You cannot avoid heavy snowfall, but you can take steps to prevent warm air from lower floors of your home escaping into the attic. This will avoid snow from melting beneath and causing ice dams to form.
• Install vents in the gables at each end of the attic to improve ventilation.
• Make sure that the floor of the attic is well insulated to minimize rising heat.
• Improve waterproofing lining the roof with an impervious membrane.
• Consider improving insulation of the attic space with spray foam insulating material.
By keeping your attic space cold, you can reduce the risk of ice dams forming on your roof. Most local authorities have codes and regulations relating to attic ventilation, so talk to your local planning department before you embark on home improvement work in your attic. Remember, talk to your insurance agent too, in case your plans affect your Pennsylvania home insurance!
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