Insulate against roof damage

(NC)—When was the last time you ventured into your attic? If you can't remember, it's probably about time to inspect it. With slippery driveways and snow-shoveling on your mind, it's easy to forget about the important role the attic plays in your home during the winter. Left unattended for too long, you run the risk of handling time-consuming and costly problems in the future, particularly on your roof.

“Sometimes, homeowners forget to check if they have proper insulation and airflow in their attic before the cold winter arrives,” says David Flood, Insulation Expert, Owens Corning. “If your attic isn't properly insulated and ventilated, you can encounter problems such as ice dams on your roof.”

Ice dams occur when hot air builds inside the attic and reaches the underside of your roof. This can cause snow or ice on your roof to melt and glide onto unheated areas such as your roof's overhang. The snow and ice that build at the end of your roof can cause water to build up and flow under and between your roof's shingles. These ice dams can cause annoying leaks and possibly destroy your roof and shingles when refrozen – an expense that can be costly to fix.

But there are preventative measures you can take right now, all in the confines of the indoors. It begins with properly insulating your attic to prevent warm air from escaping through your home's ceilings and up into your attic. Here are three tips to help prevent your attic and roofing woes:

• Install at least 15 inches of PINK FIBERGLAS batt insulation in your attic to create a solid thermal barrier that limits the amount of warm air escaping your home and reaching your roof.

• Alongside adequate insulation, ensure your attic is properly ventilated to help keep air flowing in and out of your attic. Installing raft-R-mate attic rafter vents helps maintain this continuous airflow. This can help prevent moisture build up, which can lead to condensation and expensive repairs.

• Keep an eye on your roof. Branches and leaves from nearby trees can destroy your roof by creating piles of leaves which retain water. This can make your attic susceptible to water infiltration.

Always tackle attic and roofing problems sooner rather than later. Head into your attic and evaluate your home's condition. Your local hardware store will have all the supplies and tools you need to address any attic problems you may find. For more information on protecting your home against ice dams, visit www.pinksavesenergy.ca.

The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning

Source: www.newscanada.com
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