Living in Bismarck, Mandan, or Jamestown means dealing with some tough winters. As a homeowner, one of the most frustrating and damaging winter issues you can face is an ice dam. But did you know that the key to preventing them lies not on your roof, but underneath it?
At Better Roofing & Contracting, we’ve seen firsthand how the combination of proper roof ventilation and effective attic insulation can save your home from costly water damage and high energy bills.
The Partnership That Protects Your Home
The goal of your attic system is simple: keep the roof deck cold in the winter and your living space warm. When these two systems work together, they create a barrier against the elements.
1. The Role of Ventilation: Soffit and Ridge Vents
Your roof needs to breathe. A balanced ventilation system uses soffit vents (located under the eaves) to pull cool, fresh air into the attic. As that air warms, it naturally rises and exits through ridge vents at the peak of your roof.
This continuous airflow carries away heat and moisture that escapes from your home. Without it, warm air gets trapped, melting the snow on your roof.
2. The Role of Insulation: The Thermal Barrier
Insulation is your home’s blanket. Its effectiveness is measured by its R-value; the higher the number, the better it resists heat flow. In our cold climate, a high R-value is crucial to keep the heat in your living space, where you pay for it to be, rather than letting it leak into the attic.
How They Prevent Ice Dams
An ice dam forms when heat from your house escapes into the attic and warms the roof deck. This melts the snow, which trickles down to the colder eaves and freezes into a dam. As water backs up behind the dam, it can seep under shingles and into your home, causing leaks, rot, and mold.
Proper insulation keeps the heat in your home, and proper ventilation flushes out any heat that does escape, keeping the roof cold and snow from melting prematurely.
Signs of a Problem
How do you know if your system is failing? Look for:
- Icicles forming at the edge of your roof.
- High heating bills.
- Mold or mildew on attic rafters or insulation.
Don’t wait for winter damage to strike. Call Better Roofing & Contracting today at 701-751-7663 for an inspection. Let our experienced team ensure your home is ready for whatever the North Dakota winter brings.
Image credit: // Shutterstock // Suzanne Tucker
