Prevent Snow Dams with Spray Foam Insulation

BRIELLE, NJ - January 28, 2011 - Snow is once again piling up on homes across the Northeast, as one of the coldest, snowiest winters in recent memory batters the United States. Indeed, at one point this year 49 states had some level of snowfall, with only Florida free from the cold stuff.

Most homeowners with a few years in snowbound states are familiar with ice dams, which can cause significant damage to the roof of a house. The heat rising up through the house's structure hits the roof, melting the layer of snow closest to the shingles. When that snow melt quickly refreezes, it forces the next layer of water back up the roof, where it can squeeze under the shingles and leak into attics or structural elements.

Obviously, as a homeowner you want to prevent both the loss of valuable heat through the roof and damage to the house itself. One of the best ways to do this is to thoroughly insulate your roof and attic with spray foam insulation, keeping the snow cold and your hearth and home warm.

In addition, it's possible to improve roofing materials to make the top of the house more resistant to the ice dam phenomenon. An ice and snow shield presents a smooth surface that snowmelt won't be able to slide up under.

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