Ice dams are created when melting snow on a roof doesn’t completely flow off into the gutters. When the temperature falls, the consequential ice blockage creates a dam that further slows down additional melting of the ice, enabling it to get beneath the roof’s shingles and infiltrate the protective top layer of your home. The reason ice dams form in the first place is the uneven heating from beneath. Warmth circulates in the attic because heat increases. This melts ice on the roof, which dribbles down toward the gutter, but then reaches the cold edges of the roof where it freezes again, forming ice dams.

The old-school way to solve the ice dam problem was with a shovel and a lot of dangerous manual labour. But with technological advancements, you can cross manual labour off the list. De-icing cables are the solution to your ice dam problems. De-icing cables are electrical cables connected to the roof of the house. They aren’t visually distracting and hence won’t make a dramatic change as many people expect them to. Before investing in de-icing cables, it is recommended that you are well-acquainted with the benefits and functionalities of de-icing cables.

The Benefits of De-Icing Cables:

When properly installed, roof de-icing cables work quite efficiently, although they don’t often make much of a graphic change. The cables don’t completely clear patches of snow, but rather melt the ice in close proximity around them, providing sufficient space for water to run off into your gutter. This is an important distinction: ice dams may still form but they won’t block the flow of further snow melt, and that’s what shields your roof.

De-icing cables are only designed for adequate snowmelt to avoid ice dams from building up. How much exposure your roof needs with de-icing cables hangs on the shape and slant of the roof and the spaces where ice dams form. The cables aren’t efficient in extremely low temperatures (–10°F and below). However, ice dams won’t form at such low temperatures, so it’s rarely an issue.

Cost:

The bright side of the high electrical bill is the probable savings when your roof isn’t infiltrated by an ice dam. If you’re stressed about an ice dam condition, then investing in appropriately installed heating cables has the potential to pay beneficial returns by shielding your roof and the home beneath it! It is also more preferred over manual labour that never provides a permanent solution to your ice dam problem.

Installing De-Icing Cables:

You’re right if you are wondering if installing de-icing cables isn’t something you can do on your own. It’s never an advisable idea to consider working on your roof, especially in winter. Aside from the safety issues, de-icing cables will only work wonders if installed correctly. These are electrical cables that need to be associated to your household electrical system and which will function in connection to water, and hence, it is highly recommended to entrust this job to a licensed electrician or professional who has experience with this type of service.

The soffit and fascia are some of the most integral yet underrated parts of roofing systems. This is because they don’t give the impression to be the components of a home that would play a key role in your roofing system’s performance. To clear that up, it’s important that you know what exactly about the roles of soffit and fascia.

Fascia:

The fascia is the portion of the roof that is used to make a barrier between the outside and the edge of the roof. Classically installed behind the gutters and underneath the roof line, the importance of the fascia to a well-constructed roof is undeniable. The fascia will frequently cover the entire structure and be connected either to the top of the exterior walls or to the rafter’s uncovered ends. It usually comprises from fibre-cement board, cedar, or aluminium.

Soffit:

Outspreading from the side of the structure to the edges of the eave, the soffit is the structure beneath the eave on the house’s exterior in order to seal the space underneath. Its design warrants that it is installed from the exterior walls to the fascia boards. It comprises of wood, sheet metal, or fibre-cement board. Since one of the many functions of a soffit is to aid in ventilating the attic, it usually features small holes which permit the air to cycle to the vents thereby drawing moisture and heat away.

Importance of Fascia and Soffit:

One of the reasons why your soffit and fascia are so significant is because they can give your home’s external an appeasing look, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. However, their importance goes outside this as they also avert your home from sustaining structural damage. They can achieve this by keeping pests from attacking your home and they can avoid moisture build-up that can consequence in mould growth and rotted rafters.

• Offers air intake to naturally vent the attic and keep roof’s surface cool
• Helps diminish energy consumption and costs, particularly in the summer
• Also aids in extending the lifespan and dependability of shingles/roof materials
• Covers gaps between the rafters/joists to avoid entry by rodents and insects
• Guards against impairment to roof deck/frame and to the attic insulation

To fully make the most of the purpose of fascia and soffit in your roof, proper care and fitting is highly encouraged. This is specifically so if you have an old home that comprises of wooden fascia and soffit since wood and water do not go hand in hand. The good news, though, is that there are minimal maintenance fascia that are created either from aluminium or PVC with the former being popular and common. Contrarywise, most soffits are designed using vinyl which is highly effective in enduring the degradation caused by heat and moisture.

However, over a period of time, this aluminium type will also certainly necessitate recoating or a retouch. This is where quality coatings come in as they not only offer the essential shield, but sustain the colour trend of your fascia and soffit as well. Therefore, always reach out for expert and experienced professionals that can satisfactorily handle such a project for you.