Ice dams usually form when heat from inside a home causes snow on the roof to melt and trickle to the roof’s edge, where it refreezes on cold eaves, blocking gutters and drains. Since water cannot flow over the built-up ice, it backs up behind the ice, creating pools, and seeps into the home under the shingles.

“A typical U.S. winter will generate more than $500 million in property damage from ice dams,” says Mike Convery, chief claim officer for MetLife Auto & Home. “By taking a few proactive measures in the fall, homeowners can often prevent ice dams and save themselves a lot of time, money and frustration.”

Steps to take in the fall:

* Keep all gutters and downspouts clear. Make certain that leaves, sticks and debris are removed completely from your home’s gutters and downspouts.

* Keep your attic chilly. The most effective way to eliminate ice dams is to stop snowmelt by making the roof colder. This can be achieved by insulating the floor of the attic and under the roof, and by blocking all crevices (known as bypasses) where warm air from the interior can rise into the attic.

* Identify water entry points within the home. You may wish to contact a contractor to locate these entry points and take the appropriate actions to create a waterproof barrier.

* Protect your roof with some extra help. If you’re still getting ice dams after insulating and ventilating, consider installing extra protection along your eaves. An ice belt, a solid, metal flashing, allows snow to easily slide off it while providing a barrier for melted snow. Electrical heat tracing can help if an ice dam starts forming, melting it away with one flip of a switch.

Steps to take in the winter:

* Keep a lookout for giant icicles. One of the first warning signs of possible ice dams – and definitely poor insulation and ventilation – are giant icicles hanging from the eaves.

* If possible, keep snow off the roof with a roof rake. Use a roof rake or push broom to reduce the amount of snow that could melt. Do not climb on the roof to clear the snow as serious injury may result. Also, be cautious of electrical wires.

* To melt the ice, bring new life to an old set of legs. Placing old nylon stockings filled with ice melt – containing magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, and/or calcium chloride – on an ice dam is an effective way to melt the dam and create a channel for the water to run off. Be certain to lay the stockings perpendicular to the gutter near the edge of the roof.

In an emergency situation, where water is seeping into the house, the best advice is to notify a professional contractor.

For a free brochure, “Protecting Your Home Against Damage From Freezing Weather,” call (800) 638- 5433 (800-MET-LIFE).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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“Even the highest-quality shingles cannot work to protect a home if one other part of your roofing system isn’t operating in perfect concert with the other parts,” says Bert Elliott, Owens Corning roofing systems expert.

So what is a roofing system, and how do you choose one that’s right for you? Here are a few tips:

First, know the signs that it’s time to replace your roof. Most likely your roof has asphalt shingles, as four out of five roofs in the United States do. Conduct a simple visual inspection from a ladder or by viewing the roof through binoculars. Signs that it might need replacing or  repair include algae growth on the shingles, damaged flashing around chimneys and other openings, buckling, curling, blistering, missing shingles or rotten wood in the attic.

Next you’ll need to make sure that you understand what a roofing system is to know what to ask your contractor. It’s easy, if you think of your roof serving three important purposes: protection from the elements, ventilation and beautification.

* Ice and water barriers protect vulnerable areas such as eaves and valleys from ice, snow and driving rain.

* Underlayment products provide protection against water seepage between the shingles and the roof deck.

* Shingles protect your home from the elements while adding curb appeal as they can make up to 50 percent of the face of your home.

* Hip and ridge shingles add extra protection and style to a home’s roof ridge line.

* Gutter protection prevents clogs, while allowing water to flow freely.

*Ventilation products help ensure that your attic is properly ventilated, preventing mold growth.

* Attic insulation allows homes to become more energy efficient by maintaining a more comfortable temperature year round.

Ideally, all parts of your roofing system should come from a single manufacturer as it is designed to work together for maximum performance.

“While your contractor is up on the top of your home, ask him or her to make sure your attic is sufficiently insulated. A properly insulated attic helps increase the energy efficiency of your home and make your home more comfortable,” Elliott says. “The best part is it pays for itself over time in energy saved – a properly insulated home can help save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling bills and insulation is eligible for the tax credit too, according to the government’s Web site for the ENERGY STAR program.”

Once you understand the parts of a roofing system, consider how a roof can impact the curb appeal of a home. Work with your contractor to find a style and color that coordinates with the siding, colors, and style of your home.

Choosing a contractor to install your new roof is just as important as choosing the overall system itself. Use references from friends and family, and online resources like Owens Corning’s contractor locator – found at www.owenscorning.com – to gather names and information on candidates. Be sure to check contractors’ license status before you seek bids from them. And don’t automatically go for the lowest bid – be sure competing bids are comparing apples to apples before you decide on one.

To learn more about complete roofing systems for your home, visit www.roofingsystem.com

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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One manufacturer of these products is EASYHEAT ADKS which makes roof de-icing cables.

EASYHEAT® ADKS roof de-icing cable.

Even in below freezing weather, snow on the roof will often thaw because of heat from the sun and heat loss from the house through the roof. As this melted snow reaches the roof overhang it refreezes.  Here there is no heat loss so the roof surface is much colder. As this melted snow refreezes again and again on the roof overhang, an ice dam is formed. Soon water backs up under shingles, and leaks into the house.

EASYHEAT® ADKS roof de-icing cable prevents water and ice damage by providing a clear path for melting water. It keeps roof edges, gutters and downspouts ice-free.  Versatile design adapts to most roof and gutter configurations.

It’s not those big icicles that do the real damage; it’s the ice you don’t see that backs up in gutters and under shingles. When the ice melts it can really do a number on repair costs. EasyHeat ADKS roof de-icing cable prevents this water and ice damage by providing a clear path for melting water to flow off the roof. The versatile design adapts to most roof and gutter configurations.

To find out more about this great product, with drawings showing how it’s installed and how it works, visit EASYHEAT ADKS.

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