Attic insulation question.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Fricken gutters back up with ice dams after snow events with certain temperatures. Extremely frustrating.

I know about gutter heaters and the like, but I read somewhere that a likely cause would be not enough insulation from (in) the attic or into the eve/caufet areas, and to boot....my heat ducting runs through the roof instead of the floors. Insulation issues might really be the problem and I'd like to get it the hell fixed. Fricken dangerous with all this ice on my porch landings and the weight backing up in the gutters, and shingle damage, etc etc etc.

So, honorable attic insulation companies AND OR advice as to if it IS an insulation problem, I would most certainly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance, gentlemen.

[Irving]

Not to mention that ice damming can cause water to breach your roof as well when an ice and water shield is not installed. Are soffits usually insulated?

[OtterbatHellcat]

Pook, Ive seen that surfing the web....hoped I didn't have to go there though. When I read the insulation factor, it got me wondering.

I've lived in plenty other homes before that don't have gutter heaters, and not had this damn problem.


And thank you.

[Ah Pook]

My neighbor uses this stye. It keeps dams from forming.

[OtterbatHellcat]

I don't know, Irving...I assumed they were? I don't know shit about most of this stuff, I'm a mechanic. I do think stuff melts faster on my roof faster then neighbors homes do, and I know the ice dams are a serious problem, that's about it.

I trust my brothers here on this awesome board to maybe help me out with suggestions on this problem.

[def90]

If your ductwork is in your attic you may have to insulate that as well. You very well may have enough "attic" insulation but if your ducts are laying above that layer and they are not adequately insulated themselves they may just be heating the attic space and your roof, money may be flying out the window for that matter.

Heat tape works but is a band aid.

[Great-Kazoo]

How clean were your gutters? it's not going to resolve the ice issue, but doesn't hurt with drainage.

[Irving]

Well, even if the soffits are insulated, they are outside of the heated area of your home, which is why they freeze in the first place. Basically the same thing as bridges being icy because of having cold air above and below. Not to mention that soffits are supposed to have vents, so even with insulation, you could have ice dams above vents anyway. What I'm trying to say is that while I can't answer your question (but I agree with Ah Pook), I'm very interested to hear the answers that you get. Good advise I can offer though is to call your insurance agent and make sure that you have Code Upgrade coverage on your policy. That way, if a hail storm rips through town and trashes your roof, you won't have to foot the bill for things like Drip Edge and Ice & Water shield that a lot of cities/counties require when re-roofing houses. Code Upgrade is usually pretty cheap to have on a policy (like rental on an auto policy) and is well worth the cost.

Tagged for further info.

[OtterbatHellcat]

If your ductwork is in your attic you may have to insulate that as well. You very well may have enough "attic" insulation but if your ducts are laying above that layer and they are not adequately insulated themselves they may just be heating the attic space and your roof, money may be flying out the window for that matter.

Heat tape works but is a band aid.

I've not been up in there myself yet, just moved in 7 months ago. I'll check that out on the ducts, and see about the insulation too. Whats already up there, I mean.

How clean were your gutters? it's not going to resolve the ice issue, but doesn't hurt with drainage.

Cleaned 'em all out in the fall AND after the first time this shit happened a month or so ago, Jim. I know it's not debris this time.

Well, even if the soffits are insulated, they are outside of the heated area of your home, which is why they freeze in the first place. Basically the same thing as bridges being icy because of having cold air above and below. Not to mention that soffits are supposed to have vents, so even with insulation, you could have ice dams above vents anyway. What I'm trying to say is that while I can't answer your question (but I agree with Ah Pook), I'm very interested to hear the answers that you get. Good advise I can offer though is to call your insurance agent and make sure that you have Code Upgrade coverage on your policy. That way, if a hail storm rips through town and trashes your roof, you won't have to foot the bill for things like Drip Edge and Ice & Water shield that a lot of cities/counties require when re-roofing houses. Code Upgrade is usually pretty cheap to have on a policy (like rental on an auto policy) and is well worth the cost.

Tagged for further info.

Code Upgrade Coverage....okay, Irving. Thank you.

[Ah Pook]

I get ice dams on the north side all the time but it's a metal roof with a 2.5" overhang.

The neighbor's metal roof is flush and even with gutter screens, there are always pine needles and debis in the gutter. The heaters keep the dams down and gutters ice free but the water is still going to freeze somewhere.