How poor insulation can damage your roof
A roof system is so much more than just the actual shingles or tiles that make up the roof. Beneath the shingles is a waterproof membrane designed to keep any water that makes the shingles out of your home. Metal flashing lines the valleys of your roof and the areas surrounding chimneys, vents and skylights to channel water away from more vulnerable areas of the roof to the rain gutters. Even the rain gutter system is integral to the health of the roof since its job is to get water off the roof so it doesn’t pool up and lead to roof leaks. Another part of the roofing system and one that’s often overlooked is attic insulation.
What does attic insulation have to do with the roof?
Insulation in the attic ensures that the money you’re using to heat your home isn’t wasted on heating the attic. The reason good insulation is critical for your roofing system is because a warm attic space in the winter can lead to ice dams and roof leaks.
What are ice dams
Though you may not be familiar with the term “ice dam” you’ve certainly encountered them. If you’ve ever noticed icicles forming along the rain gutters of a home, that’s an ice dam. They form when a warm attic space causes the snow on the roof to melt prematurely. This melted snow refreezes at the edges of the roof and in the gutters. This can damage the rain gutters themselves because of the weight and the ice expands forcing gaps between shingles where water can get through and further damage the shingles and lead to roof leaks.
If you deal with ice dams in the winter, improved attic insulation is the only long-term solution that can fix the problem you should also contact a Spokane roofing company about inspecting the roof for damage as well.
Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com
Source: portlandtribune.com/pt-adv-insiders/360879-240973-3-important-summer-roofing-tips