Connecticut Roofing Tips
The roof may be the most important part of your Connecticut home - it's essentially the part that provides all the shelter and protection from the elements. Roofing can be a complicated project, and roof installation and roof repair should be tackled by professionals only, but there are a number of roofing tips out there to help you, the homeowner, make your roof last as long as it can.
Ice Dams
Home Tips (http://www.hometips.com) explains that ice dams form when snow melts over heated spaces on a home and runs down the roof, then freezes again and builds up along the eaves. It can trap melted snow and flow it under the roof shingles and into your attic.
A good tip for roofs on houses being built in cold climates is to have an ice shield installed beneath the shingles first. This prevents ice dam water from getting through and into the house. Home Tips offers more great tips on how to avoid ice dam problems:
- Check and, if necessary, improve the attic ventilation to minimize the thaw/freeze cycle. Cold air should be able to circulate from eave vents to ridge or gable vents, minimizing temperature variations on the roof. Be sure the soffit vents are not blocked by insulation. If the underside of the roof is insulated, be sure the insulation is held back from the surface by at least 1 inch for air circulation.
- Improve the ceiling insulation to help keep heat from leaving the rooms below during winter.
- As a last resort, install electric heating cables made for this purpose along the section of roof above the overhangs. These melt enough of the ice to provide an escape route for runoff.
Roof Leaks
Roof leaks can be a real burden, and sometimes they can be tricky to find. Home Tips recommends going into your attic during the day with a bright light to try and spot leaks. Look above spots where drips or puddles are.
You should also be on the lookout for wet spots or dampness on the wood and framing. Switching off the light will help you spot a hole that daylight is pouring through. If it's raining heavily and you are unable to take care of the leak right away, put a bucket under the leak.
If you encounter any serious problems, make sure to call a professional roofing company immediately. Roofing problems should be taken care of by highly trained roofing contractors. Find a local roofer for your Connecticut home by searching our database.
