Fan In Attic Ice Dam

There it freezes creating a rim of ice.

Fan in attic ice dam.

In addition seal all the places that warm air can escape into the attic like areas with wires and plumbing lighting fixtures heating fixtures chimneys etc. Ice dams on roofs attic moisture attic mold. The water trickles down between the layer of snow and the shingles until it reaches the eave of the roof which stays cold because it extends beyond the side of the house. Simply insulating your attic will keep your home warmer and your attic cooler.

By circulating cool outside air in the attic space or in the rafter spaces just below the roof deck the roof surface remains below freezing and cannot melt the snow on the roof. But codes don t address all the issues and many houses are built without following building codes. Not to mention soggy insulation in the attic which loses r value and becomes a magnet for mold and mildew. An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the underside of the layer of snow on the roof.

This rim can grow trap more water behind it and bingo you have a full fledged ice dam. How to prevent ice dams use heated cables. The key to preventing ice dams is simply to keep your attic and roof cold. When the meltwater runs down the roof it hits the cold edge not warmed by the attic.

See below for a shopp. An ice dam is a build up of ice on the eaves of roofs that results from melting snow under a snow pack. Only running the fan in the summer extended its life and it will cause more harm even to the fan motor itself in the colder months and it does not allow the fan to reduce moisture build up in the attic at all at these times and does not allow the fan to prevent ice dams during the winter. Posted november 18 2019 by lewis insulation filed under attic ventilation.

Ask this old house general contractor tom silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams. If you re wondering how to fix an ice dam on your roof here s how you can prevent them altogether or remove them if they ve already formed. Condensation snow on roof and ice dam prevention tips building codes have some requirements that attempt to prevent the problems of ice dams and attic condensation. And with our unpredictable weather and temperatures we are at a high risk of getting ice dams.

Here in minnesota we get quite the snow filled winter. That s why attic fans are a non starter for ice dam prevention.