Keeping Your Home Warm this Winter

When icicles begin to form on your roof during the winter, you probably don’t think twice. They’re a natural symbol of the winter season, and they’re also pretty cool to look at it. But icicles form under the same conditions that produce ice dams, which can cause serious trouble to your roof. In this blog, we’ll look at what ice dams are, how they form, and ways you can prevent them from damaging your roof. What is an ice dam? An ice dam is a build-up of solid ice that forms along the edges of a roof. This phenomenon got its name because the ice acts as a dam; it prevents water from flowing off of the roof. The presence of gutters usually only furthers an ice damming problem, but they can also form on structures without gutters. Ice dams form after snow accumulates on the roof after a snowfall. Warm air from inside the home rises, eventually reaching the attic and warming the roof. The warm air causes the snow to melt and run down the roof. When the water reaches the eaves, which do not get warm like the rest of the roof, it refreezes, forming a wall of ice. This ice barrier builds up and forms a dam, which causes melted snow from other parts of the roof to back up behind it. This backed up water can seep through the shingles and cause extensive water damage to the home. It’s nearly impossible to keep all heat from escaping through the roof, but there are three main causes that will lead to ice damming:

• Poor insulation in the attic
• Poor ventilation
• Gaps between living space and attic

Keep in mind that a roof is designed to shed water, not hold freestanding water. If water pools on a roof due to ice damming, it can lead to interior problems like damaged walls, rotten wood, and even mold growth. The easiest way to deal with ice dams is to prevent them from happening in the first place. To prepare your roof from ice dams and save on energy costs, you should have a professional:

• Install or repair attic insulation
• Seal any air leaks in the attic
• Properly ventilate the attic

Some people recommend physically removing snow from your roof with a roof rake after a storm, but we advise against this, as it can be very dangerous. If you believe your attic is not properly equipped for snow this winter or notice ice dams forming after storms, contact Blackstone Exteriors to diagnose the issue and provide you with an expert, cost-effective solution!Earlier this year, we wrote about ways to keep your home cool during the heatwave we experienced over the summer. Now that temperatures have dropped and winter is beginning to settle in, it only makes sense to do the same for the winter season. Use these tips to warm up your home, not your gas bill, all winter long!

• Program your thermostat. There’s no sense in paying to keep your home toasty during the hours you’re not even there, so if you don’t have a programmable thermostat, pick one up from the hardware store (many are inexpensive). Program your system to drop 5 to 10 degrees from what you’re normally comfortable with during the time you’re at work or whenever your home is empty. Many people enjoy sleeping in cooler temperatures as well, so program your thermostat accordingly during sleeping hours.
• Open (and then close) the drapes. During sunny days, leave your curtains open to allow sunlight in. Even though it may feel cold outside, the sun still emits heat that will get trapped in your home through the windows. Conversely, be sure to close all drapes at night, when there is no sunlight, to prevent heat from escaping your home. You can purchase energy efficient curtains to keep your home even warmer.
• Turn on your ceiling fan. Running a ceiling fan in the winter may seem counterproductive, but can actually do wonders to make your home feel warmer. Since heat rises, running fans counterclockwise (some have a “winter” setting) will push warm air back downwards where you can feel it. Use a low setting to avoid cooling the air too much and getting an adverse effect.
• Seal leaks. Windows are a key player in keeping unwanted cold air out of your home in the winter. Check your windows for any leaks and use caulk to seal any minor openings. If your windows need some serious TLC or are more than 20 years old, consider having them replaced. For more information about window replacement, click here.
• Put down a rug. Up to 10% of heat in a home is lost through the floorboards. To prevent this from happening, put down plush rugs on hardwood, tile, and other floors that aren’t carpet. Your home (and your toes) will thank you!
• Close the doors. If there are rooms in your home that you don’t frequently use, close the vents in those rooms and then close the door. This way, warm air will spread easier and quicker to other rooms in your home and you won’t be wasting money heating spaces you never occupy.
• …or leave them open. Leave the door open when you shower so all of that warm, steamy air can travel throughout the rest of your home. When you use your oven, leave the door open afterward so the hot air can heat your kitchen and surrounding spaces.

Nebraska winters are harsh, but that doesn’t mean you have to freeze until spring rolls around. With the right knowledge, there’s no reason to blast your heat and rack up hefty utility bills. Use these tips to stay warm this winter and, as always, contact the experts at Blackstone for all of your home exterior projects!