SB Roofing Blog

Every winter we repair roofs that are damaged by "ice dams".  The details about ice dams follow later in this blog post, but first we want you to know why we bring this to your attention. SB Roofing is not just the highest quality and value professional roofing contractor in Virginia Beach and across Hampton Roads, we are your friends and neighbors.  We work hard earn your trust.

Our business is growing exponentially due to referrals from our satisfied customers.  Many of you have provided us with feedback that you value our honesty and integrity every bit as much as you do our professional service.  We know that eventually all roofs wear out and must be replaced, so we prefer to help you get the most out of your existing roof and trust that when it does come time to replace the roof, you will trust SB Roofing to perform the job.  Now, onto the subject of "ice dams" and the damage that they can do. We credit the experts at "energystar.gov" as the source for the information that follows.     

At first it may seem odd to add insulation for warmth and then purposely allow cold air to enter the attic through vents, but this combination is the key to a durable and energy-efficient home. Here's why: in the winter, allowing a natural flow of outdoor air to ventilate the attic helps keep it cold, which reduces the potential for ice damming (snow that melts off a roof from an attic that is too warm and then re-freezes at the gutters, causing an ice dam that can damage the roof). Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below. In the summer, natural air flow in a well-vented attic moves super-heated air out of the attic, protecting roof shingles and removing moisture. The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house.

The most common mistake homeowners make when installing insulation is to block the flow of air at the eaves. NEVER COVER ATTIC SOFFIT VENTS WITH INSULATION — use rafter vents and soffit vents to maintain airflow.
Attic Fan Ventilation

Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents (soffit and gable) and pushing hot air to the outside. However, if your attic has blocked soffit vents and is not well-sealed from the rest of the house, attic fans will suck cool conditioned air up out of the house and into the attic. This will use more energy and make your air conditioner work harder, which will increase your summer utility bill.

You don't want your unfinished attic cooled by your air conditioner. To prevent this, follow the air sealing and insulation strategies in this guide and make sure the attic is well-ventilated using passive vents and natural air flow.