When the heavy winter snow melts, it will come running down your roof to your gutters and drain away from your home.
- Clean out your gutters. We know we’ve told you this countless times, but having clean gutters in a major key in preventing ice dams. If your gutters are full of debris and clogged at the downspouts, the melted snow running down your roof has nowhere to go. When temperatures drop, the pooled water will freeze and potentially burrow itself under your shingles or roofing material. Clean out your gutters regularly to prevent water from pooling. Better yet, do yourself a favor, and install gutter helmets to prevent debris from getting stuck in the first place.
- Close up attic bypasses. About ⅓ of home heat loss occurs through the ceilings that lead to your attic. Most of that heat loss comes from gaps and cracks in your drywall, chimneys, access hatches, and plumbing pipes. Seal up air leaks by pulling back your insulation and filling openings with foam or caulk. This can be a tough job to do yourself, so consider hiring a professional.
- Install heat cables. These cables generate heat to melt snow and ice on your roof, but are safe enough to not cause damage to your home. They are great for areas that experience ice dams regularly. Our Helmet Heat system turns on automatically when it detects low temperatures so you don’t even have to worry about turning it on.
Ice dams and icicles can wreak havoc on your roofing materials, gutters, and home in general. By following these tips, you can protect your home from dangerous ice damage. If you want to be proactive, call Keystone Gutter Helmet to install gutter protection systems on your home today.
For more information about gutter protection systems in Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill Counties, call Keystone Gutter Helmet at 610-372-4383.
