WHAT IS UP WITH THESE ICICLES?
This past week homeowners from around the Chicagoland area have seen a variety of problems associated with the recent heavy winter storms. We are accustomed to heavy snowstorms, so what’s the big deal with this snow?
COMBINATION SNOW & ICE BLOCKED INTAKE VENTS
First, we had an unusual storm – it was a combination of snow and freezing ice. This slushy combination built up on rooftops, freezing into ridge and roof vents, blocking exhaust vents.
A SECOND SNOWSTORM HITS
A few days later, a second snowstorm hit the area piling inches of heavy wet snow on top of roofs already covered with ice. And with no break in freezing temperatures between the storms
THE PROBLEM WITH BLOCK EXHAUST VENTS
When exhaust vents are blocked by ice, the attic temperature rises and begins to melt the ice and snow on the roof, the water from this snow-melt gathers in the gutter and freezes.
THE RESULT: ICICLES & ICE DAMS
Hundreds of homes were covered with icicles, some had both icicles and ice dams. Click here to learn more about ice dams>
HOW TO DEAL WITH ICE DAMS
Here is an interesting, quick solution from the guys at This Old House>
A RARE COMBINATION OF STORMS
The combination of both storms led to some unusual results for homeowners, and unfortunately, there isn’t much that could have prevented some of the problems. The home that hadn’t had icicles in 75 years was covered with them.
HOW TO MINIMIZE ICICLES & ICE DAMS ONGOING
During normal winter conditions, not what we experienced this past week, there are ways to minimize problems with icicles and ice dams. Proper attic insulation and sufficient attic ventilation can minimize these problems.
Even with intake and exhaust venting, we have had trouble with frozen ridge vents during more common snowfall and freezing temps. When this happens we see the same results – the blocked exhaust (ridge vents), heat builds up in the attic followed by rapid snow melt freezing in the gutter, generating icicles and eventually ice dams.
Here is a good article posted recently in The Chicago Tribune>
ATTIC EXPERTS
We are The Attic Experts – we have provided insulation and attic ventilation to customers in the Chicagoland area for over 25 years. We offer free attic inspections. Call us today at 630.941.3800 to schedule an inspection.