Ice dams can seriously damage your roof and HVAC system in winter, but you can prevent this with some simple steps. Ice dams happen when the temperatures on your roof are uneven, causing snow to melt and then refreeze at the edges, resulting in water buildup. To prevent this, let’s review some tips to help prevent ice dams from forming. Following these suggestions will protect your roof and reduce stress on your HVAC system during the cold months.
Insulate Your Attic
Insulating your attic can help prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. Insulation keeps warm air inside your home and prevents it from escaping through the attic and onto your roof. This tactic also prevents the snow on the center of your roof from melting and sliding to the colder edges, where it can form ice dams.
Improve Your Attic Ventilation
Improving the ventilation in your attic can also prevent the snow on your roof from melting. Keeping the attic cool during the winter ensures that the snow on the roof above it remains frozen and will not melt.
Seal Air Leaks
Warm air from inside your home can escape into the attic through openings around the vents, pipes, and light fixtures. Before winter in Longmont and nearby areas in Colorado starts, inspect these areas for gaps and seal them to keep warm air from escaping.
Install Heat Cables
Heat cables offer a practical way to prevent ice dams. These cables have conductive polymer cores that heat up as the temperatures fall. The cores produce heat, which helps melt frost, snow, and ice. They also warm shingles and gutters so snow does not freeze on them.
Use a Roof Rake
A roof rake that you can buy at any hardware or big box store can likewise help you minimize ice dams from forming on your roof. After a snowfall, use it to get rid of snow along the roof’s edges.
Look for and Repair Roof Leaks
Leaks in your roof can lead to ice dams. Inspect your roof for leaks before winter weather arrives. Then, have an experienced repair service seal the leaks thoroughly to minimize the risk of ice dams.
Install Water and Ice Shields
You can also mitigate the risk of ice dams by installing water and ice shields. These shields are made from waterproof rubber and lay under your roof’s shingles. They act as a protective barrier to prevent water damage and leaks in vulnerable sections of your roof.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
You should inspect and clean your gutters before cold weather starts. Remove debris like leaves and twigs that can prevent water from draining. Any water that remains in them will freeze and form dams that can damage both your gutters and roof.
Add Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are protective covers that fit over your gutters and filter out debris like dirt and leaves. They can ensure your gutters remain free of anything that could block water from draining from the roof normally and contribute to the formation of ice dams.
Clean Your Roof
You need to keep your roof free from debris that could block moisture from draining normally. Piles of leaks, large branches, and even toys like frisbees can cause water and melting snow to remain on the roof rather than drain into the gutters and away from your home.
Use Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride helps melt ice dams safely. It is available at most big box and hardware stores under various brand names. Remove excess snow before applying it to the roof’s edges and gutters.
Schedule a Seasonal HVAC Tune-up
You can protect your home’s HVAC system in the winter by ensuring it undergoes a thorough tune-up before cold weather starts. This checkup verifies that your entire heating system is ready to use for the season and can provide safe and reliable heating. If your heating unit is covered by a warranty, the warranty may require you to have it professionally inspected and maintained at least once a year anyway.
Replace the Air Filters
Because you cannot open the windows during the winter to let in fresh air, your HVAC system must provide your home with clean air. Change the air filters to help your system maintain safe indoor air quality.
Install a Surge Protector
A power surge can damage your furnace and prevent you from having a heat source until the system can be repaired. Rather than risk losing this system, you can have a surge protector installed.
Seal Your Windows and Doors
Sealing your windows and doors can help your furnace work better by keeping out cold drafts. This measure likewise can help your system maintain good indoor air quality. Use materials like caulk or mastic tape to seal any openings around your windows and doors.
Test Your Thermostat
You should also test your thermostat before winter starts. This tip ensures your thermostat is set correctly and will provide you with reliable air temperature readings. If you are not sure how to test the thermostat yourself, you should hire an HVAC technician to test it for you.
Inspect the Outdoor Unit
Before the snow falls, check the outdoor unit to ensure the area around it is clean. Remove debris like grass clippings and leaves on the ground around or on the unit. Also, periodically remove snow from the outdoor unit to help it function effectively.
Insulate Your Pipes
Insulating your HVAC system’s pipes can also improve its performance. Use materials like foam, mastic, or heated tape to keep the pipes warm and prevent the water from freezing. Remember to insulate outdoor pipes.
Clean the Air Vents
As you prepare your furnace for the winter, remember to inspect and clean the vents as needed. Dirty and clogged vents can prevent warm air from dispersing throughout your home, causing some rooms to feel colder than others.
Have Your Furnace Professionally Repaired
If your furnace does not work normally, have an HVAC technician repair it promptly. Persistent problems, such as unusual noises or tripped breakers, can cause your heating system to break down and need replacement. By having an experienced technician inspect and repair your furnace at the first sign of trouble, you could enjoy more reliable use and keep more money in your winter budget.
Let Us Assist You With Preventing Ice Dams and Protecting Your HVAC
As a five-star-rated, locally owned HVAC company in Longmont, we believe your home comfort goes beyond having a quality HVAC system. Our team at My Guy Heating and Air, LLC provides comprehensive services for both your furnace and air conditioner. We also provide indoor air quality services. Our company has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Our technicians never use pressure tactics to get you to buy products or services you may not need. Contact us at My Guy Heating and Air, LLC to learn more about how we can protect your HVAC system with furnace maintenance and prevent ice dams on your roof.
