1-877-SWING CLEAN info@energyswingwindows.com What are ice dams and how do I protect my home against them? Ice dams are formed when heat from the inside of a home escapes into the attic and warms the roof decking during the winter. This heat, combined with heat from the sun, can melt snow on the roof. Melting snow then runs down toward the eaves as water. When it reaches the cold eaves and gutters it refreezes. This continual thaw and re-freeze process creates ice dams. The result is water backing up under the roof shingles where it can soak through the roof decking or wall sheathing, causing damage to attics, ceilings and walls. Many times this damage will be hidden inside the wall. At other times, this water may run down until it hits a horizontal obstruction in an exterior wall, such as a window or a door, at which time it may run out from the top of the window or door to the inside. This is not a problem with the window or door, but with the attic and roofing system itself. There are three ways to defend against the damage ice dams cause: attic insulation, attic ventilation system, and water-proofing shingle underlayment. All three work together.      Prescription Checklist: * Don’t get on your roof to solve this problem, it could be dangerous. * Avoid standing on the ground and “chipping away” at the ice. Not only could this cause damage to your roof, but you can be seriously injured by falling ice, debris, or tools. * Contacting a roofing contractor to fix your roof leak will not prevent future ice dams. * Seal air leaks and seal duct air leaks in your attic to stop warm air   leakage (the source of the problem). * After sealing leaks, add additional insulation to your attic. * Provide adequate attic ventilation so that the underside of the roof and the outside air are at the same temperature. Check to make sure attic insulation is not blocking roof ventilation. * Clean leaves and other debris from gutters before the first snow. This will help prevent ice build-up in gutters. * Hire a contractor who is an energy specialist or specializes in air sealing to do an in-home evaluation. A good specialist will use diagnostic equipment to evaluate the performance of your home and generate a customized list of improvements. Ice dams on roofs are becoming a major problem all across the Pittsburgh region. Click the links below to watch local news stories about ice dams from all the major networks and to find out what other local contractors are saying.   LOCAL NEWS REPORTS SOLUTIONS FROM ENERGY SWING Roofing & Attic Ventilation Gutters & Gutter Cap Heater Cap WTAE WPXI For KDKA’s story, copy & paste this URL: http://kdka.com/video/?id=68883@kdka.dayport.com   Before After Prevent Ice Dams & Roof Leaks The picture on the left is a home before the installation of Heater Cap. The picture on the right is the same home after installation of Heater Cap. This photo was taken in midst of the “Storm of The Century” in February 2010. Find out more about Heater Cap. Issues with Ice Dams The image to the left is a great example of water running through soffit and forming icicles. This is a result of ice dams building on the roof. If this home would not have an overhang, water from ice dams would be running back into the home through the walls and window or door openings, rather than through the soffit. 3245 Miracle Drive Murrysville, PA 15668 724-387-2991 PA Contractor ID PA001856