Inclement Weather Home Protection: Ice dams are an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof. When interior heat melts the snow, water can run down and refreeze at the roofs edge, where its much cooler. If the ice builds up and blocks water from draining off the roof, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house. To help reduce the risk of ice dams: Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris. Keep the attic well ventilated so snow doesnt melt and refreeze on the roofs edge. Make sure the attic floor is well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house. Bursting pipes occur when frozen water causes a pressure buildup between the ice blockage and the closed faucet. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to extreme cold. To keep water in your pipes from freezing: Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow heat transfer. Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 14:42:13 +0000
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