Prevent Ice Dams with Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam!

Alaska is a glorious place to live.

The mountains rise to greet us each morning…

The sky dances us through the dark of winter…

The moose mosey their way through our neighborhoods…

And mother bears raise their young near where we raise ours.

There are countless reasons that Alaska is the place we call home.

The land speaks to us. 

We feel the pull of the wild, the call of the unknown…

So we stay.

But Alaska is not for the faint of heart.

We live on the edge of wilderness.  Such proximity to the land of wonder and adventure does not come without challenges.

Just beyond our backyards is a vast land of opportunity and growth, and change…

And most of it is untouched by human hands.

Isn’t that amazing!?

Alaska’s wild spirit is undeniable…

And we are part of the natural cycles that occur here!

Some natural cycles bring struggle, however. 

Winter in Alaska can be difficult to weather, for instance.

Temperatures plummet, snow piles up, and even the simple tasks of daily life – like driving to work – can be difficult to navigate.

But still, we stay.

Because Alaska’s wild wonders are worth accepting the challenges they present.

We are a rugged, resilient people, Alaskans.

We take our time, expect the best, and explore our way through life, preparing what we can for difficult seasons.

We make the choices necessary to care for our families, our homes, and our beloved state.

Now – as winter comes to a close and spring’s sunlight warms and brightens our landscape – is the perfect time to start preparations for next winter.

What hardships did last winter bring for your family that can be prepared for in the future?

One of the most common issues we are asked about at Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam is whether we can help prevent ice dam formation. (Spoilers: spray foam can absolutely help!)

Ice dams can be hazardous for your family and property, and also cause expensive damage to your home. 

Did ice dams form on your home’s roof this winter?

Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam has your back!

Spray foam insulation can help prevent ice dams from forming so that your home and family stays snug as a bug in a rug for the whole winter.

No wasted energy, intimidating icicles or crazy snow buildup necessary.

Let’s take a look at what ice dams are, how they form, and how spray foam insulation can prevent them from occurring.

What Are Ice Dams?

Ice dams are layers of ice that form around the edges – or eaves – of houses and other buildings after heavy snowfall.  These “dams” block the runoff off of snow and meltwater as roof temperatures change, potentially causing hazardous conditions and damage to a roof.

Because the eaves of a building are directly exposed to the elements (and not connected in any way to the heat of the building’s inhabitable space), their temperatures more closely resemble the outdoor temperatures. 

If the temperature of a roof rises above freezing but the eaves are still below 32° F, meltwater from the snow on the roof will re-freeze when it reaches the eaves. Any meltwater that is blocked from reaching the eaves by these newly-formed “ice dams” (and, therefore, stays meltwater) will pool on the roof.  That moisture can cause all sorts of problems.

How Do Ice Dams Form?

There are many factors that can lead to the formation of ice dams, but the most common and preventable factor is insufficient attic insulation.

If the attic of a house is poorly insulated, heat escapes from the cozy living spaces into the attic. That heat then warms the underside of the plywood that forms the roof, over which shingles are placed.

When the roof of a building is heated, and there is snow sitting on the roof, the snow right up against the roof melts and starts to migrate down the roof deck.

If the air surrounding the house is above 32° F, that water will run right off of the roof, and there won’t be a problem!  Eventually, that snow will melt right off, and your roof will be fine.

But how often is winter air in Alaska above freezing?  Not often.

So, inevitably, the eaves of that house will be below freezing, just like the Alaskan winter air, and an ice dam will form.

Then – a new ice dam formed and fully functional – water pools in the roof area just above the living space.  That water can slip beneath the shingles, potentially rotting the roof structure, or forming mold or mildew, etc.

Ice dams also hold back snow that would fall off of the roof, which can be very dangerous, especially as temperatures begin to warm outdoors. 

As spring works it’s (muddy) magic, large portions of ice and snow that were held back by the ice dam around the eaves can suddenly crash to the ground all at once….which can cause massive property and personal damage.

The point here? Ice dams are a bad! 

Let’s discuss how spray foam insulation can help prevent them from forming.

How Does Spray Foam Insulation Help Prevent Ice Dams?

Since ice dams commonly form because of heat escaping the living space of a building, the way spray foam insulation helps is very simple: it insulates!

When we install spray foam insulation in the attic of your home, we raise the R-value of your current insulation, but we also seal up all the cracks and crevices that heat escaped through!

Spray foam insulation creates an air-tight seal, so spray foam in your attic keeps the cozy air from your living room and bedroom and kitchen where it is meant to be: inside your house! 

Furthermore, any ductwork or hot water pipes that cannot be rerouted in your attic can be insulated with spray foam too, keeping their heat within their designated areas and further limiting heat loss.  (Awesome, right?)

How’s that for weathering the winter??

That air-tight seal keeps your wallet fuller, too!

With adequate attic insulation, the heat you pay good money for will stay there instead of escaping into the attic and causing meltwater on your roof.

No meltwater on your roof on sub-freezing winter days means no ice dam formation.

Crisis averted!

Told ya Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam has your back!

Call us today for more information about installing spray foam in your attic.  We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Conclusion

With adequate insulation, your home is much more equipped to weather our Alaskan winters unscathed!

If you need to increase the insulation in your home’s attic, give Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam a call!

We will be glad to help you.

Until we meet again, enjoy this season of light and abundance!

(The mud will go away eventually…promise!)